Nov 2/2023
- What to do with 13 billion euro? It’s a dilemma the Government faces following the Apple Tax Ruling earlier this week. As the budget looms, there are calls for more spending on housing, childcare, water and infrastructure crunches. We’re joined by Economist Colm McCarthy to look at where we should spend it.
- It also emerged this week that Apple had warned the Government of “aggressive competition” from other countries trying to lure multinationals away from Ireland. Apple has been a huge player here for many years, but they weren’t the first and last as Adrian Weckler outlines in this radio essay.
- Our next guest has built a successful business out of caring for children. But it was her own tough upbringing that lit the fire in her belly. Karen Clince founder of Tigers Childcare, a multi million euro business, joins us.
- Almost 11,000 Irish people emigrated to Australia in the last year, a 100% increase on the previous year. Recently the Australian ambassador warned that it’s a tough place to find work and accommodation and he said in many ways, emotionally and culturally harder than Ireland. But is that how young Irish emigrants feel about it?
- Kamala Harris has been praised for needling Donald Trump him into losing his cool on the debate stage. Could her provocation teach us how to deal with a domineering character in the workplace? Ian Robertson joins us to find out.
- Oliver Peyton, who started his career with Fatboy Slim running nightclubs in Brighton and later hosted London's elite in his restaurants, now finds satisfaction in helping plan the perfect funeral. Join us as he reflects on his journey from a small family farm in Swinford, Co. Mayo.
- The restaurant industry is facing tough times, with nearly 600 closures in the last 12 months, including many high-profile ventures. With tight margins and mounting pressures, how are relationships between restaurants and their suppliers holding up? Siofra Mulqueen investigates the current state of affairs.
- Tensions rise between Mexico and the U.S. over a longstanding water-sharing agreement. Texan sugar cane growers accuse Mexico of cutting off water, threatening their business. With global water shortages increasing, Ruth Freeman from Research Ireland discusses potential future impacts.
- Elon Musk faces backlash for his tweets about Kamala Harris, highlighting growing tensions in Silicon Valley. Noam Cohen discusses whether the tech hub is shifting from disruptor to establishment, noting recent shifts in political alignment.
- Kamala Harris was mocked for apparently adopting local accents in various U.S. states. But is this actually a common tactic to fit in and gain favour? Comedy writer Aidan Fitzmaurice explores whether we all adjust our accents to suit our surroundings.
- If you have a desk job, you might envy Mike O’Shea, owner of Work At Height Training. His unique career includes sleeping on Skellig Michael, fending off polar bears, and assisting Tom Cruise with motorbike stunts off cliffs. Is he a safety expert, adventurer, entrepreneur, explorer, logistics specialist, or movie stunt consultant?
- From extreme remote work locations to the popular trend of remote working, this summer finds many embracing the flexibility of maintaining their jobs while travelling the world. Siofra Mulqueen explores how some people are maximising the benefits of remote work to blend work responsibilities with global adventures.
- JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, is stirring the American business scene with significant tech VC backing for the White House race. Supported by Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and David Sacks, his brief VC career raises questions. Lizette Chapman from Bloomberg News weighs in on his Silicon Valley connections.
- Next Friday, the Paris Olympics begin, marking 100 years since the Irish Free State won its first medal there: Jack B Yeats for his painting of the Liffey Swim. His lesser-known sisters financially supported their family through Cuala Industries. Dr. Angela Griffith from Trinity College Dublin shares insights into their contributions.
- President Biden's recent gaffes at a NATO meeting have raised concerns about his re-election chances. Donors, in particular, are voicing their disquiet, and their financial support is crucial. Who has withdrawn support, and who might they back if Biden drops out? Prof. David Dunn from the University of Birmingham joins us to discuss.
- Nick Keegan, founder of Mail Metrics, is on a business winning streak with 150 staff and offices in Poland and the UK, eyeing U.S. expansion. Despite early setbacks, including rejection from the army, Nick's company now boasts $40 million in revenue. Join us as Nick shares how he transformed Green Letter Box into a thriving[...]
- Sticking with communication, we're all bombarded with emails daily—from spam to sales alerts. This push for our attention is ever-evolving. Siofra Mulqueen explores the past, present, and future of how companies communicate with customers.
- Former PM Tony Blair praised AI for reducing public sector costs. Our guest, Dr. James Muldoon, co-author of Feeding the Machine: The Hidden Human Labour Powering AI, sees AI's potential but has major concerns. He questions if the AI industry, worth a projected trillion dollars by 2030 and dominated by a few tech giants, is[...]
- Gareth Southgate, England's soccer manager, has faced relentless criticism but triumphed with a semi-final win in the Euros. Leadership under pressure is tough—Joe Biden knows it too. What makes a great leader, and when is the best time to quit? Julie O’Neill, chairperson of PTSB, shares her thoughts.
- What will a Labour government mean for business and finance? Broadcaster Enda Brady joins us to discuss.
- Fentanyl is commonly administered to chronic pain patients through a patch on their skin. A new product developed by Gareth Sheridan, CEO of Nutriband, aims to make these patches safer for users. Gareth joins us on the programme.
- Hanna Hats marks 100 years in business this year. It’s had its fair share of celebrity customers over the years from Pavarotti to Britney Spears. Richard caught up with Eleanor Hanna at the factory.
- More and more people are on the search for instagrammable destinations - from rolling sand dunes, to that perfect blue gate overlooking the Santorini coastline. But what impact is this having on the experience for tourists in such places? Travel writer and Instagrammer, Thom Breathnach, joins us to discuss.
- At this time of year as some families are stacking and footing their yearly supplies of turf, others are drawing inspiration from the bog in other ways as Siofra Mulqueen has been finding out.
- What are the business implications of the Aer Lingus pilots dispute and can the reputational damage caused be recovered? Eoghan Corry, editor of Travel Extra joins us on the program.
- From corsetry, to combat gear, to trips to China, the Jack Murphy brand has been generations in the making. The Murphy family has weathered its fair share of storms and blizzards over the years. Two generations of Jack Murphy Clothing join us on the show.
- Speaking of enterprising individuals, Ellen O’Byrne, a 19th-century Irish emigrant to the U.S., led the way in the music industry. She shares many traits with Taylor Swift, who is making big noise in Dublin this weekend. Dr. Michael Murphy, lecturer at IADT, discusses the parallels between these two remarkable women.
- Our next guest believes we should view the environmental crisis economically, considering both big business and our daily choices. In Environomics, Dharshini David explains that a quarter of emissions in wealthy countries come from households and suggests changes like buying fewer mobile phones and fast fashion to reduce consumption.
- AI is being used to diffuse the daily anger faced by call centre workers. With polls showing increasing anger and 80% of call centre employees leaving after 18 months, AI offers a solution. Philip Smith, physicist, engineer, and science communicator, joins us to explain how AI is stepping in to help.
- We could all use a holiday to escape. With most schools finishing up yesterday, summer has officially begun. Are there any simple tips to help us save our hard-earned cash this summer? Siofra Mulqueen investigates.
- Join us as we dive into the Aer Lingus pilots dispute making headlines. We'll explore pilot pay, their ability to demand salaries, and the global pilot shortage. Our guest, Patrick Edmond, Managing Director of Altair Advisory, an Aviation Consultancy firm, will provide expert insights on the issue.
- Join us as we talk with Mary Hickson, a leading figure in the arts industry and festival scene, known for her collaborations with artists like Cillian Murphy, The National, and Bon Iver. Mary shares her fascinating journey from Fermoy, including her childhood years living above a pub in Corofin.
- Sticking with the creative world, Mary Hickson recalls her early entrepreneurial days dancing jigs in her mother's pub. What about other musicians who grew up in family businesses? Were they learning to manage their own careers? Siofra Mulqueen investigates this intriguing connection.
- Germany’s Economy Minister Robert Habeck visits China amid warnings of a potential trade war over EU friction on electric vehicle imports. With slowing industrial output and a struggling property market, how prepared is China for a trade war? We discuss this with Denis Staunton, China Correspondent for the Irish Times.
- From the Great Wall of China to the walls of Derry: The Derry Journal reveals Taylor Swift's roots trace back to 1 Fahan Street. Swift, arriving on our shores next week, has a fascinating heritage. Author Paul Howard shares his insights on the business unicorn that is Taylor Swift.
- Emma Maye comes from a family that’s steeped in the property development industry. When her father Liam died in 2008, she moved into the business and started negotiations with Nama over her fathers enormous property debts. She's since built a business empire alongside her husband - Ardale construction company and Core, a builders provider chain.
- Well Sticking with property but a different end of the market. Staging properties has become increasingly popular in Ireland in the last few years. This is where homeowners are forking out up to 30,000 to stage their homes in an effort to attract higher bids and to sell more quickly. Siofra Mulqueen has been finding[...]
- Well this week much of the attention has been on which of our politicians will be upping sticks and moving to Brussels. Meanwhile markets are worried about the prospect of a far right government bedding down in the Eurozone’s second-largest economy, France. From there we’re joined by Lara Marlowe, Paris based journalist and author.
- Now employers from north and south are calling on the Irish and British governments to rectify the tax complications that have arisen from remote working. Fergal O’Brien, Director of Lobbying & Influence with IBEC joins us to discuss.
- “Love bombing, baiting, ghosting,” these are normally terms that we hear in the world of dating, but a number of recent studies suggest these practices have crossed over into the world of work and recruitment. Recruitment Specialist Louise Campbell has been taking a look at the issue.
- We’ve all been dazzled by them these last few weeks. But how do we all channel the mindsets of these athletes - the sheer concentration, composure and confidence. We’re joined by Trinity’s professor Ian Robertson, author of How Confidence Works
- Kevin O'Loughlin founded Nostra nearly 20 years ago as a one-man band. Now, they employ 400 people, operate in 9 countries, and have 40,000 end users in Ireland, with 10 acquisitions under their belt. Nostra provides comprehensive IT solutions. Kevin shares his backstory of growing up in rural Laois, the son of a farmer and[...]
- Mark Zuckerberg dubbed him 'The Taylor Swift of Tech.' At 61, Jensen Huang leads Nvidia, a key player in the AI boom. This week, Nvidia's value surged past three trillion dollars, briefly overtaking Apple as the second-most valuable company. Join us with tech journalist Elaine Burke to explore Nvidia's rise to stardom.
- The ubiquitous Irish pub is found worldwide, but traditional "plastic paddy" establishments have lost their appeal. A new generation of expat pub owners aims to create a modern Irish experience. Joining us are Conor Myers of Bartley Dunnes in New York, and Morgan Smyth, owner of Badfish and The Brazen Squirrel in Berlin, to discuss[...]
- Hollywood blockbuster ‘The Fall Guy,’ starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, is a tribute to stunt performers. But who are the people behind Hollywood’s greatest stunts? Siofra Mulqueen finds out. Peter, with 30+ years teaching Chinese Kung Fu and Qìgong, now teaches in West Cork at littleforestsanctuary.com.
- After Trump's historic conviction, his campaign raised $34.8 million, with billionaire support from figures like Elon Musk. Could his legal troubles boost his White House bid? Marion McKeown, US Correspondent for the Business Post, joins us to discuss.
- As Leaving Cert students cram this bank holiday, our next guests, Luella Morton and Sheena Bailey of TestReach, oversee 4 million exams annually.
- This week, British PM Rishi Sunak faced scrutiny for trying to seem relatable with his love for Yorkshire tea, Star Wars, and Taylor Swift. Should public figures try to appear cool, or is it always cringeworthy? Dave McArdle investigates.
- New research shows European workers prefer more time off, prompting governments to encourage a return to work. Are Irish workers following this trend? Dr. Laura Bambrick from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions joins us to discuss.
- In Europe this bank holiday, many are off to sunny shores. But in places like Venice, locals reject more tourists. Journalist Roslyn Dee, a 30-year Venice visitor, shares her insights on being a Good Tourist in this radio essay.
- Doc Martens' profits took a dive this week. Sarah McGuinness, Assistant News Editor at the Business Post, joins us to explain.
- Thursday set a record at Dublin Airport with over 63,000 departures. This summer, 10 million passengers are expected, but the 32 million annual cap on passengers concerns the Dublin Airport Authority. CEO Kenny Jacobs joins us to discuss the impact on business and tourism.
- Paul Cadden, grew up in the West of Ireland and has made a name in Dublin with his Saba Thai restaurants and takeaways, plus a new sauce range at Dunnes Stores. His brother Alan works with him, while brother Mark runs a restaurant in Castlebar, continuing their family's hospitality legacy.
- Russia's recent claim of discovering 510 billion barrels of oil in Antarctica, ostensibly found during a scientific mission, has raised concerns about a potential Russian oil grab in a British-owned region. Here to discuss this is Professor Klaus Dodds, an Antarctic expert and geopolitics professor at Royal Holloway, University of London.
- Irish author Colm Tóibín's new book was picked for Oprah's book club. To discuss its impact and changes in publishing, we're joined by journalist Aoife Barry and author Clare McGowan, whose book "Truth, Truth, Lie" launched this week on Amazon.
- Recent data shows Guinness has overtaken Carling as the UK's favourite pint, with a 24% sales increase, especially popular in London's trendy bars. Joining us to discuss this is Mark Paul, London Correspondent for the Irish Times.
- Join us as we explore the remarkable journey of Mike Corcoran, an Irishman on a mission in Ukraine. Starting as an apprentice in Ireland, he moved to America, became an Olympic athlete, and built a prosthetics business with a $23-27 million turnover. Now, his business spans 13 countries. Recently, he’s been aiding Ukrainian soldiers.
- A new study suggests that Irish workers may be among the least productive in Europe, challenging our national pride in productivity. Have multinationals misled us about our efficiency? We’re joined by Dr. Tom McDonnell, co-director of the Nevin Economic Research Institute, who is conducting this study with trade union SIPTU.
- Our next guest, Edward Luce, Financial Times US National Editor, warns of troubling times ahead if Donald Trump wins the next US Presidential election. He believes Europe and the EU should be particularly concerned about the potential impact of another Trump presidency.
- Bruce Springsteen has been touring Ireland with three-hour gigs, wowing audiences. Freelance arts journalist Pat Carty believes we all could learn valuable lessons from The Boss.
- Can state-owned lands solve the property crisis? Recent events in Dublin spotlight the housing shortage. Some argue this crisis fuels anti-immigrant sentiment. Dr. Lorcan Sirr, an expert in housing, believes Ireland has untapped solutions, especially in utilizing state-owned lands.
- Hugh McAllister Sr. started in coal, then ventured into barbering, relocating from Belfast to Dublin. His sons, Hugh and Conor, expanded the business from barber shops in Belfast and Ballyfermot to numerous franchises, known as Grafton Barbers. Hugh McAllister joins us to share the family's rich history in both barbering and business.
- Siofra Mulqueen
- Oliver Franklin-Wallis, journalist and author of "Wasteland," uncovers shocking statistics: 4 trillion plastic cigarette filters littered annually, 20,000 plastic bottles sold per second, and Americans producing 2 kg of waste daily. He also delves into the surprising emergence of gold mining in waste.
- Jane Ohlmeyer, Prof of Modern History at TCD, uncovers the remarkable tale of Catherine Strong, an Irish woman who dominated Dublin's waste industry in the 1600s. Discovered through the Voices project, which utilizes AI to explore women's experiences in Ireland from the 1500s to 1700s, Catherine's story sheds light on overlooked historical figures.
- Called the largest fraud in the history of Silicon Valley, thirteen years ago Mike Lynch, sold his company to Hewlett Packard for almost 12 billion dollars. Donal O’Donovan, Business Editor of The Irish Independent joins us.
- Nuala Walsh has risen to prominence as one of the 100 most influential women in global finance. She now serves as the founder and CEO of MindEquity. Recently, she has taken on roles as a Behavioral Scientist and author, delving into the topic of decision-making in her new book "Tune In."
- Xavier Greenwood is the producer of "Who Trolled Amber," an investigative podcast delving into the online hate campaign targeting Amber Heard during her defamation lawsuit with ex-husband Johnny Depp.
- Food and culinary historian Regina Sexton from UCC, who has explored this topic for RTE's Brainstorm, joins us from Cork to shed light on the historical Easter tradition.
- As the weekend ushers in the peak season for nurseries, our reporter Siofra Mulqueen investigates whether inclement weather has affected sales. Tune in to discover insights and gardening tips from her exploration into the world of plants.
- Follow Cathal Friel's journey from a car showroom in Donegal to multiple million-euro deals. Leaving school at 16, he's taken four companies public and is set to IPO his fifth.
- This week's announcement of Leo Varadkar’s resignation caused quite a stir. With Simon Harris likely to take the helm, the challenges for any new leader—be it in government, business, or organisations—are numerous. With 25 years of leadership development experience, Tracy Gunn sheds light on the unique hurdles faced when stepping into leadership.
- This week, the UN passed a crucial resolution on AI. But what about its impact on jobs and recruitment? Siobhan Kinsella, President of The Employment and Recruitment Federation, and MD of The Noel Group, discusses AI's role in hiring and its implications for job seekers.
- Cathal Friel's comments stirred controversy, suggesting people from outside South Dublin make for better employees. Is this bias worse than AI algorithms? Do accents and origins affect opportunities? Explore the impact of accents on work and life. www.eleonorenicolas.com
- Spent hours drafting an email and then wondered why we never get a response; or ended up entwined in a thread of emails trying to figure out what exactly we’re being asked to do? Sarah Geraghty from The Communications Clinic advises us on how to lighten this modern workload.
- Almost 20 years in, after two Oscar nominations, one for Give Up Your Aul Sins, friends Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O'Connell sold Brown Bag to 9 Story Media, remaining on as shareholders and this week 9 Story was bought over by Scholastic for $185 million. We're joined by entrepreneur Cathal Gaffney.
- With St Patrick's Day this weekend, those working in the Irish traditional music scene will be celebrated across the world. Síofra Mulqueen has been finding out if the trad scene is hitting the right notes.
- Gardai believe they disrupted the activities of a major international drug smuggling gang on Thursday when they arrested 10 men in west Cork. Investigative journalist, Nicola Tallant explains Ireland's role in the logistics of international drugs businesses.
- Tourists have ben coming to Ireland since the 19th and 18th hundreds. We’re joined by Professor Jim Deegan, who has been immersed in the tourism industry for decades.
- Irish Australian journalist Brianna Parkins believes that’s the reason who we don’t buy into the more Oirish merchandise so loved by tourist on these shores. But she wonders why we seem to like paddywhackery on some occasions, but not others. She penned this essay.
- During his fifteen-year career at Leinster, Rob Kearney represented Ireland 95 times, inspiring fans and teammates with his skill and calmness under pressure. After rugby, Rob ventured into the world of business. He joins us to talk about life on and off the pitch.
- It’s normally women who are associated with multitasking, but is that fair for women and men? On the day after International women’s Day and the eve of Mothers Day Columnist Lise Hand has her own take on the topic.
- Now to a budget that lacked any magic tricks and has left lots of multitasking mayhem for those who will come later. We’re joined by TV presenter with TRT World Enda Brady.
- Amongst the biggest global election year in history and worldwide protests and tension surrounding Israel’s war on Gaza, Robert MacGhiolla Phadraig joins us to discuss whether or not employees should be discouraged from bringing their political views to work.
- While tomorrow’s Academy Awards captivate audiences worldwide, in this country, all eyes will be on our own Oscar hopeful, Cillian Murphy who’s tipped to scoop the coveted gold statuette. But just how much does an Oscar win translate into tangible rewards? Here to tell us all is film critic Cara O’Doherty.
- Finally tomorrow is Mother’s Day - I hope you’ve seen the cards and reminders posted everywhere, a day for Mums to get properly pampered or maybe just get that mug they always wanted!
- AI has been getting a lot of attention of late, but the latest development is a surprising one. Tesla chief, Elon Musk, one of the founders of Open AI is suing OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman for breach of contract. He says that they have compromised the start-up’s original mission of building artificial intelligence systems[...]
- Jenny Jennings has spent her whole life immersed in the entertainment industry, from clubbing and circuses to concerts and theatre. An early immersion in Dublin’s alternative nightclub scene while still at school, sowed a tiny seed for what would later become This Is Pop Baby, a theatre company that has ignited stages around the world.
- We’ve heard so much about Ireland’s night time economy, licensing laws and late openings. New legislation is going through the Oireachtas designed to support the sector, but meanwhile nightclubs all over the country continue to close. Clubber and owner of Tropical Popical Andrea Horan has penned this ode to nightclubs.
- Chronology has become a focus of the American election campaign and who has the vitality to do the job. 81-year-old Joe Biden or Donald Trump aged 77. This week, Biden hit back saying that it’s not about how old the candidates are, it’s how old their ideas are. Is there a right age to retire[...]
- Forget about yesterday’s snow, we really are creeping towards longer evenings and the promise of summer. Apparently at this time of the year our noses become more aware of smells - you know the phrase Spring is in the Air - there’s a reason for that. With this in mind, Siofra Mulqueen has been dipping[...]
- Today marks the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of people have been killed, millions have been forced to flee their homes, villages, towns and even entire cities have been completely destroyed. Kyiv journalist Natalia Gumenyuk joins me to give us an insight into how life and business is in the war torn[...]
- A story of resilience. Una Leonard of 2210 Pattisiere was recovering from a serious eating disorder and her own mental health crisis when she discovered the healing power of baking and decided to make a career out of it. Una now owns two patisseries and she joins me to share her story.
- The Irish Times reports that RTE Board members are “furious, insulted and fed up” over the forced resignation of the chair of the board. But who is going to replace Siún Ní Raghallaigh in the job? Would anyone even want the role anymore? Earlier we caught up with Eileen Gleeson, of the Institute of Directors.
- Now from traditional media to new media - imagine this - you type a simple description and within a split second a video version of your description appears on screen. This is the latest OpenAI tool. To look at the implications for such tools we’re joined by Tech entrepreneur Mark Little, and Marie Toft, founder[...]
- This week Niall Horan has been entertaining audiences in Belfast and Dublin with two more shows in the 3Arena before he starts a world tour. He is a former member of One Direction. So what happens when the band breaks up? What's the reality like as a solo artist? 2FM's Aifric O'Connell has been giving[...]
- New EU laws to crack down on harmful and illegal content on the web come into force today giving Ireland’s online media watchdog the power to monitor the activities of major technology companies based here. I’m joined by Eileen Culloty, Deputy Director of the DCU Institute for Media, Democracy and Society to explore how it’s[...]
- Andrew is a very familiar face to rugby fans across the island, he played for Ulster 229 times - and has 70 caps for Ireland. Since his retirement in 2018, he’s also been making a name for himself off the pitch - and in recent weeks, his business, Kairos founded with Gareth Quinn has been[...]
- The world of influencing and online content creation has always moved quickly, but in recent times things have been changing faster than ever. I’m joined by Lynn Hunter, founder of the Collaborations Agency and influencer, Dev Skehan who are here to give us an insight into the influencing business.
- I think it’s fair to say that work is central to most of our daily lives. And increasingly, people say that they want their work to matter. But what actually defines a 'meaningful' job? Dr Caleb Althorpe, philosopher at Trinity College Dublin who’s completing a new IRC project on making work meaningful joins me now.
A weekly look at the world of business and personal finance with Richard Curran. Listen live Saturday at 10am on RT’ Radio 1.
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All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are directy attributed to RT’ and RT’ Radio 1 or their podcast platform partner. If you believe your copyrighted work is in use without your permission, you can follow our process outlined here. See terms of use.