Inside Business with Ciaran Hancock

Episodes

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  Housing: construction slowdown, price-to-income running at twice the EU average, and the rise of the approved housing body sector 11.11.2026 35m

  Inside Business host Ciarán Hancock is joined by Arthur Beesley and Eoin Burke-Kennedy of the Irish Times to discuss the latest developments in housing.This week we’ve learned of concerns raised by the Department of Finance in relation to one of the country’s big approved housing bodies, a not-for-profit entity called Circle. Those concerns arise from the State’s exposure to billions of euro in debt accumulated by approved housing bodies. And new data sets point to a slowdown in residential construction, along with prices here accelerating away from income levels at twice the EU average.Plus, Apple have launched their first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo. This represents Apple’s attempt to enter and potentially reshape the foldable-phone market, where competitors such as Samsung and Huawei have been active for years. Irish Times business and technology journalist Ciara O’Brien gives her initial impressions of the ‘passport-style’ smartphone.Does the iPhone Duo justify its hefty €2369 price tag? And can you see the crease when you unfold the screen?Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  British Ambassador to Ireland Kara Owen on current Anglo-Irish relations, trade opportunities, and the possibility of a Brexit reversal 04.11.2026 39m

  On this week's Inside Business host Ciarán Hancock is joined by Kara Owen, the British ambassador to Ireland.She started in the role in October 2025, having had a long career in the British diplomatic service. Kara was previously British High Commissioner to Singapore from 2019 to 2024 and, before that, was Director for the Americas at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.Her diplomatic career has also included senior postings in Paris and Hanoi, as well as serving as Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary.In a wide-ranging interview, Kara covers her decision to visit all 26 counties in her first year in the role, the current state of Anglo-Irish relations, and talk of Britain rejoining the EU at some point.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Glenisk co-owner Vincent Cleary on rebuilding the company after it burned to the ground 28.10.2026 46m

  In the first half of this week’s Inside Business, host Ciarán Hancock will be talking to Vincent Cleary, co-owner of Offaly-based organic yoghurt maker Glenisk.Vincent is co-owner of the business with his brother Brian, a company that was set up in 1995 by their father Jack.Glenisk had a near death experience in 2021 when its manufacturing plant, warehouse and offices burned to the ground. Vincent explains how it has bounced back from that devastating moment.Plus, a couple of years ago, streaming giant Netflix looked untouchable. It had emerged from the pandemic with record subscriber numbers, was cracking down on password sharing and introducing advertising on its platform.But things have changed. This year the share price has tanked, and it is now laying off staff and rethinking its strategy.Ian Curran of The Irish Times has been covering the story and joined Ciarán on the line to outline what has gone wrong for Netflix over the past 12 months. Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why is motor insurance so expensive in Ireland? 21.10.2026 32m

  This week on Inside Business we’re looking at the latest data on motor insurance, which shows that premiums continue to rise.The Central Bank’s annual report on motor premiums shows them going up due to increases in both vehicle damage claims and personal injury costs.Darragh Cassidy, the head of communications at Bonkers.ie, and Joe Brennan of The Irish Times joined host Ciarán Hancock in studio to discuss this, with Joe taking us through the headline numbers from the report and later Darragh outlining the ways that young drivers can reduce their premiums.Plus, those of a certain age will have fond memories of the Citroën 2CV, a French car that helped make driving affordable and accessible to all back in the day.At the Paris Motor Show recently it was relaunched as an electric vehicle costing just €15,000.This prompted our tech columnist Emmet Ryan to write about it in the Irish Times.He explains why the launch caught his eye, especially as he can’t drive.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Microsoft president Brad Smith: Ireland is “well-positioned for future of AI” 14.10.2026 19m

  This week’s guest on Inside Business is Brad Smith, vice chair and president at tech giant Microsoft.He was in Dublin this week to speak at the Government’s international AI summit in the RDS.Brad sat down with host Ciarán Hancock to discuss the need for regulation of AI, both globally and for individual states, Ireland’s potential role in the development of the technology and how it could change our lives and workplaces.He also spelled out Microsoft’s own plans and ambitions for AI development in the coming years.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Budget 2027: Does this giveaway budget have potential banana skins that might lie ahead for the Government? 06.10.2026 52m

  First up on this budget special, host Ciarán Hancock was joined on the line by Irish Times political editor Pat Leahy from Leinster House who took us through the headline elements of the budget.In part two we focused on childcare, where many parents are put to the pin of their collar paying for their children to be minded in creches and other facilities.Elain Dunne is chair of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers and owner manager of Treehouse Montessori in Dublin. Will there be enough for a sector that is struggling to make ends meet?And in the final part of this episode, Ciarán was joined by EY tax partner Frank O’Neill and Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times for their assessment of the budget measures and to discuss how this is being received by the Irish business community.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Ireland’s economic outlook ahead of Budget 2027 and agentic AI going rogue 30.09.2026 41m

  On this episode of Inside Business, we start with Ireland’s economic outlook a week out from the Budget 2027 announcement. After years of consistent steady growth and running a surplus, what potential challenges await next year? Are we putting enough into the State’s rainy-day funds?And why do developments with the US Federal Reserve have a clear impact on our economy?To discuss all this, host Cliff Taylor was joined in studio by Rossa White, Chief Economist at EY Ireland.In the second half of this episode, we look at agentic AI and why it has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately.Data breaches and deceptive behaviour have led to growing calls from AI leaders, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic's Dario Amodei, for a more cautious approach to AI development and stronger safeguards. But why don’t these companies know what their software is up to?And is proper regulation even a possibility at this point?Irish Times business and technology journalist Ciara O’Brien has been following these developments closely and she explained why agentic AI is giving big tech cause for concern.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Should Ireland share its corporation tax bonanza with the EU? 23.09.2026 27m

  On this episode of Inside Business, we look at Ireland’s bulging tax receipts from the major multinationals.Last week in an interview with Naomi O’Leary of The Irish Times, French finance minister Roland Lesscure suggested that this bounty should be shared around Europe, to reflect where the revenue is generated.Naturally, this went down like a lead balloon with our Minister for Finance Simon Harris.To discuss this, host Ciarán Hancock was joined on the line by Naomi, who is based in Paris for the Irish Times, and in studio by our in-house corporate tax expert Cliff Taylor.What was the French minister’s justification for demanding a share of our corporate tax swag, and does he have a point?Plus, Irish house price growth has been going gangbusters since 2013 and are now 28 per cent ahead of their Celtic Tiger peak.But recent indicators from estate agents and the CSO suggest the level of price growth is on the wane.Fiona Reddan has been looking at the trends in Irish house prices for the Irish Times, and she joined Ciarán in studio to discuss whether Irish house prices are likely to begin to fall.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Soaring energy costs and why ‘we can’t protect everyone from the impact of war’ 16.09.2026 56m

  Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, fuel prices at the pump continue to rise and Energia last week became the latest domestic player to increase its electricity and gas prices.A winter of discontent potentially lies ahead with the Government scrambling to put together support packages for the budget on October 6th.Muireann Lynch is senior research officer at the ESRI, and an energy expert and she joined host Ciarán Hancock in studio to give her view on the outlook for energy prices over the short to long term and how this will feed in to costs for Irish households and businesses.Also on this episode of Inside Business, we look at how the British and Irish Lions 2025 tour was hugely successful both on and off the pitch.On the pitch, the team won its test series in Australia 2-1. Off the pitch it made a record profit of £13m on revenue of £50m. Ben Calveley is the chief executive of the company behind the British and Irish Lions and joined Ciarán via video link to discuss the financial success of the Lions and potential avenues of growth for the business of both the men’s and the women’s tours.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  From kitchen counter to supermarket shelves, the rise of Ballymaloe Foods 09.09.2026 38m

  First up on this episode of Inside Business, a family firm that has become one of Ireland’s best-known food brands.Maxine Hyde’s grandmother - Ballymaloe founder Myrtle Allen - began making relish in the kitchen of their family run hotel. Today, Ballymaloe Foods has a range of products sold in supermarkets nationally, and a turnover of €15m.Host Ciaran Hancock gives their signature relish a taste, and asks what it takes to grow a food business in a market dominated by multinational brands. How have changing consumer tastes shaped the company’s strategy? And can a premium Irish food producer continue to thrive as households keep a close eye on spending?Also in this episode, we put one of the most talked-about gadgets of the year under the microscope. Dyson’s latest electric toothbrush comes with a price tag of €479, making it one of the most expensive brushes on the market. But does it actually deliver a better clean? Who is it designed for? And can any toothbrush really justify costing more than some smartphones?Irish Times business and technology reporter Ciara O’Brien has been putting the device to the test.Brought to you in association with EY.Produced by John Casey, JJ Vernon and Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Has the Government’s strategy to keep fuel costs down proved to be ‘knee-jerk’ and difficult to reverse? 02.09.2026 34m

  First up on this episode of Inside Business, the issue of fuel costs after the Dáil voted to postpone the restoration of fuel excise duty last Friday.Did they wilt in the face of more potential protests?What is the cumulative impact of taxes, levies, regulations and other fuel-related charges on the cost of transport and home-heating fuels?And with the budget around the corner, should any changes to carbon tax consider both fuel affordability and the climate programmes funded by it?For more on this, host Cliff Taylor was joined in studio by Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland.Also in this episode, we look at the spread of digital tipping terminals that prompt customers to leave gratuities for basic counter service.Should you tip on a coffee-and-pastry purchase? What about a takeaway?And is tipping becoming expected rather than voluntary?Irish Times Consumer Correspondent Conor Pope has been writing about this, and he joined Cliff to give his thoughts.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Will the upcoming budget drive inflation and increase costs for Irish households? 26.08.2026 29m

  The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council have made their pre-budget submission. They feel the Government’s proposed budgetary package will drive inflation and increase costs for households and firms.The council also warned that current plans would increase reliance on corporation tax receipts, which it considers risky. It also feels more of the corporation tax windfall should be put into the State’s rainy-day funds.For more on this, host Cliff Taylor is joined in studio by Niall Conroy, Ifac’s acting chief economist.Plus, Irish Times Economics Correspondent Eoin Burke-Kennedy on the key takeaways from the latest Daft.ie report which shows Dublin rental availability falling by 18% year-on-year to fewer than 1,150 homes. But the spike in market rents in the first quarter of this year after the introduction of new rental rules seems to have eased considerably. The report shows what rent inflation like outside Dublin, and how finding accommodation is becoming extremely difficult for third level students.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How many new homes does Ireland really need? 19.08.2026 42m

  The Government has introduced 46 tax measures since 2013 to stimulate house building here. Have they worked and do they represent good value for money for taxpayers? To help answer that question Ciaran Hancock is joined by Marian Finnegan, chief executive of Sherry Fitzgerald, Ireland's largest estate agent, and John McCartney, a property economics lecturer in TU Dublin, who spent 20 years working in the commercial property sector.Together they debate a range of questions that are key to Ireland’s housing and property sector:How many new homes do we need per year to serve the needs of a growing population?Are schemes like Help to Buy or First Home good value for money - or do they only serve to drive prices ever higher? Is it possible to design new schemes to bolster homebuilding in areas outside Dublin, where needs remain unmet?What is the true level of vacancy around the country and what does it tell us about housing need? How healthy is the commercial property sector? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Should Meta's 'intrusive' smart glasses be banned? 12.08.2026 35m

  It's been a busy week for tech giant Meta. Its new glasses have sparked controversy over privacy concerns, while founder Mark Zuckerberg published his AI manifesto, and the company indicated that it might be willing to pay local communities to host data centres in their areas. Irish Times tech expert Ciara O'Brien explains why the glasses have caused such a stir and how Zuckerberg's approach to AI differs.In part two: Ireland's corporation tax receipts are bulging, helped by the increase in the rate of tax paid by large companies as a result of recent changes agreed under the auspices of the OECD. The government recently published exchequer returns for the first seven months of the year, giving an insight into the extra corporation tax that is likely to flow our way. It's a helpful backdrop for the government in the run-up to October's budget. Eoin Burke-Kennedy looks at the numbers and what they mean. He also looks at what might happen to Ireland's public finances if an Apple, Microsoft, or Eli Lilly were to pull out.Brought to you in association with EY. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Are middle earners getting gouged by the tax system here? 05.08.2026 29m

  In a column last week, Cliff Taylor posed the question as to whether middle earners are being ripped off by the Irish income tax system. And with no income tax package introduced in 2026, that meant the real tax burden has increased this year.Minister for Finance Simon Harris has signalled that tax cuts are coming in the budget targeted at middle income earners, but does that require difficult political trade-offs?Cliff joins host Ciarán Hancock in studio to give his view.Plus, in a hard-hitting column this week, John McManus posed the question as to how Michael Fingleton got away with it for so long.This is in relation to Fingleton’s stewardship of Irish Nationwide over nearly four decades until it collapsed in 2009, being bailed out by Irish taxpayers to the tune of €5.4 billion.Fingleton passed away last Sunday at the age of 88.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  What size does your pension actually need to be for a comfortable retirement? 29.07.2026 31m

  First up this week’s episode of Inside Business, we are looking at pensions and what constitutes a comfortable retirement here.A recent survey from Royal London Ireland suggested Irish workers believe they will need almost €41,000 per year to achieve that.So, when should you start contributing into a pension and what age should you ramp up those contributions? And why is home ownership so important when it comes to our financial life cycle?To discuss this host Cliff Taylor is joined in studio by partner at PwC Ireland Munro O’Dwyer.Plus, Permanent TSB shareholders are to vote Thursday July 30th on Austrian bank Bawag’s planned €1.62bn takeover.This suggests a finish line is in sight after the bank was put up for sale last October.But what will the takeover potentially mean for branch closures and staff cuts?Irish Times Markets Correspondent Joe Brennan has been writing about this, and he joined Cliff on the line.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Aer Lingus job cuts and Ryanair’s profits plunge - what is happening in the Irish aviation sector? 22.07.2026 41m

  First up on Inside Business this week, we look at the woes impacting the Irish aviation sector.Aer Lingus last week announced plans to cut up to 500 jobs at the airline, the equivalent of 8 per cent of its workforce.And Ryanair announced on Monday that its profits had dropped in the first half of the year due to higher fuel costs and a reduction in air fares as people hedge their travel plans amid the current increases in the cost of living.To discuss these issues, host Ciarán Hancock was joined in studio by Davy stockbrokers aviation analyst Stephen Furlong and on the line by Eoghan Corry, a veteran aviation journalist.Plus, Ciara O’Brien of The Irish Times on the Government’s plans to introduce a digital wallet, that in time could hold your passport and driving licence.How will it work and why is it being brought in now?Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Will the State’s plan for the Carlton Cinema site revitalise O’Connell Street? 15.07.2026 25m

  First up on this week’s episode of Inside Business, host Ciarán Hancock speaks to Cliff Taylor of The Irish Times about the State’s purchase of the a 5-acre site on O’Connell Street in Dublin that used to house the Carlton cinema. Officially, it has been purchased for the Metrolink underground rail link to Dublin airport. But is this part of a wider plan by the Government to take charge of regeneration in this key urban quarter of the capital?Why did Transport Infrastructure Ireland pay €80 million to purchase the site from UK developer Hammerson? And did it really need to buy the site to deliver a Metrolink stop on O’Connell Street?Plus, fighting has once again broken out in the Middle East as the fragile ceasefire between the US an Iran has impacted on shipping going through the Strait of Hormuz. Denis Staunton has covered the story for The Irish Times, and he sums up the events of this week and where peace talks might go from here.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How can tech offer solutions for obesity and weight management? 09.07.2026 35m

  On this special episode of Inside Business recorded at EY’s head office, host Ciarán Hancock is joined by Dr Harriet Treacy, founder and CEO of BeyondBMI, Ireland’s first online medically led weight management and obesity clinic.She explains how frustration at the inefficiencies of healthcare systems was the catalyst in her decision to pivot from a medical doctor to an entrepreneur.Harriet is a finalist in the Emerging category for the 2026 EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.Also on this episode, is Tommy Kearns, CEO and co-founder of customer engagement platform Xtremepush. The company helps legacy media transition to digital, and new companies that have emerged over the last decade or so. Tommy also outlines the pivotal role AI is playing in the company’s present and future.Tommy is a finalist in the Established category for the 2026 EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards.Plus, we also hear from Roger Wallace, Head of Assurance & EY Entrepreneur of the Year Partner Lead at EY Ireland, on how AI is being implemented in the company’s business – the level of investment needed and the impact on employee roles. Roger also highlights the value of our indigenous entrepreneurs against the backdrop of our economy being driven by overseas investment.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The 9 per cent VAT rate has been welcomed by restaurants but does the hospitality sector actually need it? 01.07.2026 39m

  In the first half of this week’s Inside Business, we debate the merits or otherwise of the now permanent 9 per cent VAT rate for the hospitality sector which kicked in on Wednesday.This followed a pledge in last year’s budget to cut the rate, and a long lobbying campaign by many in the industry. But at a cost of €681 million in a full year, is it a good way to spend taxpayer’s money? And should the Government have looked at other ways to support the sector rather than this tax break?Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurant Association of Ireland will argue the case for, while Barra Roantree, assistant professor of economics at Trinity College, will explain why he believes this is a bad policy by Government.In the second half of this episode, John McCartney, a lecturer in property economics at TU Dublin, will explain why he thinks the downturn in the Dublin office market is a permanent one, and not just cyclical as some in the industry would argue. Has the market peaked? And will vacancy rates continually increase?Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.