September 2006 - July 2007

Click on a date to listen to the show.

Programme 43: 1st July 2007
For this week's Business review of the week, Shane Kenny was joined in studio by:

. Brian O'Mahoney, Chief Business Correspondent with the Examiner

E-mail: Brian.OMahoney@examiner.ie

. Frank O'Brien, Independent Financial Consultant

E-mail: fobinvest@eircom.net

. Dermot Mannion, CEO, Aer Lingus on the European Commission ruling on Ryanair's takeover plans for Aer Lingus.

Website: www.aerlingus.com

. Turlough O'Sullivan, Director General, IBEC on electricity prices.

Website: ibec.ie
Address: IBEC Head Office, Confederation House, 84/86 Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2
Tel: 01 605 1500
Fax: 01 638 1500

Further Information

. Alan Torney reports on Philip Lynch of One51's planned expansion of Greenore Port, Co Louth.

Contact Greenore Residents at www.greenoreresidents.org

Address: 151, Thomas Street, Dublin 8
Tel:  01 612 1151
Fax: 01 612 1214
Email: info@one51.com

Programme 42: 24th June 2007
This week on The Business:  Oil crisis?  What oil crisis?  Shane Kenny talks to Aidan Heavey, CEO of Tullow Oil which this week announced a major oil find off Ghana.

Our guests this week:

Stuart Draper, Dolmen Stockbrokers
Web: www.dolmenstockbrokers.ie
Phone: 01 633 3633

John McManus, Business Editor, Irish Times
Web: www.Ireland.com
Phone: 01 675 8000

Aidan Heavey, CEO Tullow Oil
Web: www.tullowoil.com
Phone: +44 20 8996 1000

Bruce Arnold, Irish Independent
Web: www.independent.ie
Phone: (0)1 705 5333

Grant Ford, Sotheby's
Web: www.sothebys.co.uk
Phone: +44 20 7293 5000

Programme 41: 17th June 2007
This week on The Business: the Greens in Government Buildings. but at what cost to Irish businesses?

Our guests this week:

Robbie Kelleher, Head of Research at Davy Stockbrokers
Web: www.davy.ie
Phone: 01-679-7788

Richard Curran, Deputy Editor, Sunday Business Post
Web: www.sbpost.ie
Phone: 01 602 6000

Liam Brewer, MD, CargoCare
Web: http://www.cargocare.ie/
Phone: 01-8424733

Marie Hunt, Director of Research, CB Richard Ellis
Web: http://www.cbre.ie
Phone: 01 618 5543

Michael Stubbs, Assistant City Manager, Dublin City Council
Web: www.dublincity.ie
Phone: 01 222 2222

Mark Fielding, Chief Executive, ISME
Web: www.isme.ie
Phone: 01 662 2755

Donal Buckley, Head of Business Infrastructure, IBEC
Web: www.ibec.ie
Phone: 01-605157

Paul Cummins, MD, Telegael
Web: www.telegael.com
Phone: 091 553460

Programme 40: 10th June 2007
This Sunday on The Business: the rise and rise of interest rates; the decline and fall of the property market; a second economic miracle for Germany; and schisms, splits and share-bagging now retailing at Arnott's, Irish Ferries, and the Independent Group.

Our guests:

Alan Brett is Research Manager at Manifest - an independent proxy governance and global electronic voting company
Web: http://www.manifest.co.uk/
Phone: + 44 (0)1376 503500

Alan McQuaid is Chief Economist at investment services provider, Bloxham
Web: http://www.bloxhams.ie
Phone: 01 611 9200

Tom McEnaney writes for the Irish Independent
Web: http://www.independent.ie/
Phone: 01 705 5333

Dr. Alan Ahearne is lecturer in Economics at the Cairnes School of Business & Public Policy at NUI Galway
Web: http://www.nuig.ie
Phone: 091 524 411

Mark Schieritz is Finance & Markets Editor at FT Deutschland
Web: http://www.ftd.de/
Phone: +49 40 319 900

Programme 39: 3rd June 2007
It's wall to wall filth on the business this Sunday: litter, fly-tipping, graffiti, chewing gum and the businesses that are cleaning up - by cleaning up after us.

Our guests:

Don McManus runs a family business: McManus Jewellers in Dun Laoghaire, and is also Vice-Chair of the Dun Laoghaire Business Association.
Web: http://www.dun-laoghaire.com/dir/dlba.html
Phone: 01 230 2311

Eddie Foster is Director of the Limerick & Galway offices of Priority Investigations Ltd.
Web: http://www.pilimited.com/
Phone: 01 679 3290

Keith Ellis founded Graffiti and Gumbusters and is Managing Director.
Web: http://www.gumbusters.ie/
Phone: 1850 40 60 80

Paddy Matthews is Manager of the Environment Unit at Failte Ireland.
Web: http://www.failteireland.ie/
Phone: 01 602 4262

Programme 38: 27th May 2007
This week The Business is bringing you a special post election show to discuss the business issues that face the next government.and the ones hanging over from the last Dáil.

Our guests:

Áine Maria Mizzoni is the managing director of Grafton Recruitment and formerly served as the president of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, only the second female president in the chamber's history.
Web: www.graftonplc.com/
Phone: 01 216 0600

Sally Ann Kinahan, assistant general secretary of ICTU, joined us in studio to discuss the prospects for workers during the next government's term.
Web: www.ictu.ie
Phone: 01 889 7777

John Ahern, managing director of waste management company Indaver Ireland was on hand to discuss one of the key items of unfinished business left over from the last Dáil.incineration.
Web: www.indaver.ie
Phone: 01 280 4534

Fergal Barton of Barton Coaches joined us to discuss another issue left over from the last Dáil. He was in studio to discuss the market for transport services in Ireland.
Web: www.bartons.ie
Phone: 01 628 6338

Programme 37: 20th May 2007
Many Youghal companies have closed their doors or reduced their staff numbers in recent years. Job losses at Elba, Artesyn Technologies, Youghal Pottery and many other companies have depressed the town's economy, with local retailers feeling the pinch. We were joined by representatives of two successful local businesses to discuss what needs to be done to revitalise the town's economy.

Our guests:

David Fitzgibbon, Ahernes Townhouse & Restaurant, Youghal.
Ahernes seafood restaurant is one of Youghal's most famous businesses. It is run by David Fitzgibbon & his brother John.
Phone: 024-92424
Web: www.ahernes.net

Mike Sheehan, plant manager, Tytex Ireland
Tytex manufactures medical textile products, including the materials used in bandages. The company employs 114 people in Youghal and is one of town's largest employers.
Phone: 024-25030
Web: www.tytex.com

Programme 36: 13th May 2007
The Irish Stock Exchange launched the Irish Enterprise Exchange in April 2005. The market is designed to suit the needs of small to mid-sized companies. Two years on the market's value has increased considerably and the number of companies listed has grown to 26, with more companies planning to join before the end of the year.

This week The Business takes a look back at the growth of the IEX over the last couple of years and the issues that it has faced to date. We also heard the views of some of the listed companies.

Our guests: Des Carville, Director, Davy Corporate Finance
In his role with Davy, Des has helped the majority of listed companies to come to the market. Phone: 01-6796363 Web: www.davy.ie/public/GenericPublicPage?page=davyscorporatefinance  Email: dcf@davy.ie

Deirdre Somers, director of listings & chief executive designate, Irish Stock Exchange. As director of listings, Deirdre was instrumental in the establishment of the IEX market. Phone: 01-6174200 Web: www.ise.ie Email: info@ise.ie 

John O'Shea, managing director, Zamano 
Mobile services firm Zamano joined the IEX in February, making them the most recent entrant to the market. Phone: 01-4885820 Web: www.zamano.com

Earlier in the week we met with Alan Cooke, chief financial officer of pharmaceutical company, Amarin , another company listed on the IEX. Phone: 01-6699020 Web: www.amarincorp.com

Programme 35: 6th May 2007
Soft fruit industry
The summer is upon us and the sun continues to shine so The Business decided to bring you a summer inspired programme this week. The soft fruit business has been a vibrant part of the sunny south east for many years.

The Business headed south along the N11 to meet with two growers and find out about growing fruit for a living. The first stop was at Greens Berrry Farm near Gorey in County Wexford. John Greene's family have been producing soft fruit for over twenty years. Then we headed further south and spoke with the former chair of the Irish Soft Fruit Growers Association, Jimmy Cairns, at his farm just outside Enniscorthy in Co. Wexford.

For more information, take a look at http://www.greensberryfarm.com/

Our studio panellists also had a discussion about the soft fruit industry. David Keeling from Keelings was on hand to discuss the changing nature of the soft fruit industry and his experiences of working within a family business. Keelings is a multinational company, focused on growing, sourcing, shipping, marketing and distributing fresh produce from sources around the world for Irish, UK and European consumers.
Keelings Head Office
Roslin, St. Margaret's, Co. Dublin, Ireland
Tel:+ 353 1 813 5600
Web: www.keelings.com

We were also joined by Dr Eamon Kehoe, a soft fruit advisor & researcher from Teagasc. He discussed the value of the strawberry market and the changes in the industry in recent years.
Teagasc Head Office, Oak Park, Carlow
Tel: +353 59 917 0200:
Fax: +353 59 918 2097
Web: www.teagasc.ie

Ice cream in Dingle
Sean and Kieran Murphy started Murphy's Ice Cream in Dingle in 2000. Over the next two years the business grew, and in early 2003, Murphy's Ice Cream opened a new production facility to enable it to meet the demand. In 2005, Murphy's Ice Cream opened a second shop in Killarney. The Business went to Dingle to taste the ice-cream and hear the story.

Murphy's Ice Cream, Strand Street, Dingle, Co. Kerry
Phone : +353 66 9152644
Fax: +353 66 9152474
E-mail: sean@murphysicecream.ie
Web: http://www.murphysicecream.ie/

Programme 34: 29th April 2007

Competition in the banking sector
The Business takes a look at competition in the Irish banking sector this week. We will consider the current wave of competition in the market for banking services, what new offers are available for consumers and what is driving the change.

Joining Christopher McKevitt to discuss competition and the banks were:

Scott Rankin, Banking Analyst, Davy Stockbrokers
Website: www.davy.ie
Email: csu@davy.ie 
Tel: (01) 6797788
Fax: (01) 6148725
Address: Davy House
49 Dawson Street
Dublin 2

Carol Boate, Advocacy Division Manager, The Competition Authority
Website: www.tca.ie
Email: info@tca.ie  
Tel: (01) 804 5400
Fax: (01) 804 5401
Address: Parnell House
14 Parnell Square
Dublin 1

Niall O'Grady, Head of Marketing, Permanent TSB
Website: www.permanenttsb.ie
Email: info@permanenttsb.ie
Tel: 1890 500 121
Address: Permanent TSB,
56/59 St. Stephens Green,
Dublin 2

Educational software
Kristian O'Donovan and Tomás Finneran founded Flúirse in 2005. The Tralee based company design and develop interactive media and software for primary school students. Currently Flúirse specialise in Irish language products but they plan to expand their product range in the near future.

Web: www.fluirse.com
Phone: 066 712 9828
Email: info@fluirse.com

Address:
Tom Crean Business Centre
Kerry Technology Park
Dromtacker
Tralee
Co. Kerry

Programme 33: 22nd April 2007

The Business takes a look at consolidation in the media sector, what is driving it and who the main players are.

DAVID MCREDMOND
David McRedmond is  chief executive at TV3, Ireland's commercial television station. Mr McRedmond (44) was Eircom's Commercial Director. Dubliner McRedmond worked in the book retailing sector in Britain and the US before returning to Ireland to join Eircom in 1999. He set up the Waterstone's business in the US. After Waterstone's takeover by WH Smith, he was chief executive of WH Smith's US unit.
www.tv3.ie`
TV3
Westgate Business Park
Ballymount
Dublin 24

TELEPHONE 01-4193333
info@tv3.ie

MARTIN BLOCK
Martin has over two decades of experience in the Irish broadcasting Industry. He was the co-founder of both FM104 and Lite FM, now Dublin's Q102. As Chief Executive of Lite FM, he orchestrated one of the most successful launches of a Dublin Radio station, making himself a millionaire with the sale of Lite to UTV

TIM COLLINS
River Media is fronted by ex-Drury Communication's executive Tim Collins. The company already runs the Letterkenny Post and Ocean FM in Donegal. In partnership with The Irish News they own River Newspapers which owns a suite of  local papers including freesheets.;Letterkenny Post, a freesheet; the Donegal Post, a paid-for newspaper; the Leitrim Post, Paid for; freesheet the Kildare Post; and the Derry News,with sales of 13,500. The Derry News
CONOR MCCARTHY
Is director of Corporate Finance at Stockbrokers, NCB specialising in technology, building materials and private equity sectors.
www.ncb.ie/
016115611

PETER COYNE
This week Sprit FM was awarded the "Quasi national License" for a Christian radio station.  The Chairman of  Spirit FM  is former Chairman of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, Peter Coyne. Spirit's eleven directors are: Peter Coyne; Jacki Ascough (former music director at KSBJ Houston, Texas); Seán Ashmore CEO of Dublin's Country Mix 106.8FM; Carol Browne from Milltown Institute; Basil Good, owner of the Isaacs group and member of Dublin City Centre Business Association; Dick Jenkins, president EMF Broadcasting in US, Mary Seery, chief executive YMCA Dublin; Fr John Harris OP, Dave Heffernan former CEO East Coast FM; Tom McGuinness, owner Horseware Products Ltd; and Paul Sheehan, former CEO  at Radio Kerry, currently with the Simon Community.
Missionmedia@eircom.net

The business of learning
Nicola Hansen moved to Ireland from South Africa in 2003. Since then she has established Jonix Educational Services, a provider of early intervention services for children with autism in Ireland. Jonix operates three pre-schools - in Castleknock, Enfield & Malahide. In 2006, the business was highly commended at the Fingal Enterprise Awards. We paid a visit to the Castleknock school to find out about what Jonix do. We spoke with Nicola Hansen, two of her teaching staff - Nessa Hughes & Caitriona Glavin and Barbara Gillen - a parent of one of the pupils.
Web: www.jonix.ie
Phone: 046 954 9616
Email: info@jonix.ie

RADIO OWNERSHIP MERRY-GO-ROUND

Ireland has one national independent television station, two national commercial radio stations, one regional commercial radio station and 26 local commercial radio stations.

The current phase of consolidation in the commercial radio sector dates back to 2002 when the Broadcasting Commission relaxed its rules on radio ownership.

Scottish Radio Holdings bought Today FM in 2001 in a deal that valued the station at 76 million euro.

UTV purchased Cork County Media for 36 million euro in 2001.

In 2002 UTV went on to purchase Limerick's Treaty FM for almost 16 million euro.

The third big deal by UTV was its acquisition of Lite FM, now Q102, in a deal worth 15.3 million euro in 2002.

Scottish Radio Holdings bought FM104 in 2004 for approximately 30 million.

UTV spent 9.5 million on Louth and Meath radio station LMFM in 2004.

In March 2005, Scottish Radio Holdings agreed to buy Donegal's Highland Radio was for 7 million. In August of that year, media giant EMAP took over Scottish Radio Holdings and as such became the owners of Today FM, FM 104 and Highland Radio.

Also that year, Shannonside, which broadcasts in Longford, Roscommon, South Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan, was sold to Radio Kerry for around 6m.

In May 2006, Newstalk was awarded a quasi national licence. The radio station is owned by Denis O'Brien's Communicorp holding company. O'Brien's company also has interests in a number of other commercial stations including 98FM, Spin and East Coast Radio.

In 2006, the Connacht Tribune newspaper paid 20 million for Galway Bay FM

Most recently media group Thomas Crosbie Holdings purchased majority stakes in two Waterford radio stations - Waterford Local Radio and Beat 102-103 - in separate deals with a combined value in the region of €14m.

Programme 32: 15th April 2007

India

As the world's fifth largest economy, the Indian market represents a large opportunity for Irish businesses. On Friday the 27th of April, the Ireland India Trade Forum will take place in Dublin to examine opportunities for investment in India, provide an insight into current and future trade and economic patterns and offer solutions to the complexities of doing business in India. In advance of this event we were joined in studio by Dr Prabhu Kulkarni and Bernice Maria Paolozzi.

Dr Kulkarni is the managing director of Dublin based solar energy company Kulkarni Teoranta and its subsidiaries - Belfast based Soltech UK and Shamrock Renewable Energy Private in Pune, India.  He is also the India director for the Asia Trade Forum of the Irish Exporters Association.

Bernice Maria Paolozzi is an organisational development facilitator and she is currently developing a series of Ireland-India trade and tourism networking events in Ireland to increase the flow of trade between the two countries.

For more information about the Ireland India event contact.

Phone: 086 821 9298
Email: india@open-door.eu

Outsourcing
Gerard Fitzgerald is one of the founding directors of Abtran, a business process outsourcing business based in Cork. Abtran has a number of corporate and government clients in Ireland and worldwide.   The company provides long term service solutions to clients including front and back office functions and financial transaction processing.
Web: www.abtran.con
Tel: 021 230 1800
Email: info@abtran.com

Poland
The Polish community in Ireland has made a significant contribution to the Irish economy. However Irish companies have also pumped a large amount of investment into Poland's economy. The Business headed east recently to learn about doing business in Poland and met with the following:

Eamonn Crowley, senior divisional manager for AIB in Poland
Web: www.aib.ie/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Poland/Homepage
Address: Bank Zachodni WBK S.A. ul. Marszalkowska 142, 00-061 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: 0048 22 586 8000
Email: internationaldesk@bzwbk.pl

Karen Cohalan, Director-Poland, Enterprise Ireland
Address: Commercial Section, Embassy of Ireland - Enterprise Ireland, ulica Mysia 5, 00-496 Warsaw.
Web: www.enterprise-ireland.com/Contact/Overseas+Offices/Warsaw+office
Tel: 0048 22 583 12 00

Seamus Pentony, regional director, Headcount Solutions
Web: www.headcount.pl
Tel: 0048 22 596 38 00

Janusz Kaczurba, advisor to the board of Lewiatan (Polish Confederation of Private Employers)
Web: www.pkpplewiatan.pl/en/

Programme 31: 8th April 2007

BUSINESS IN THE BIBLE

In honour of Easter, we decided to look at the concepts of trade, wealth and commerce as reflected in the Bible. We also discussed what lessons modern businesses can learn from the Bible and how ethical questions can be applied to modern business.

Our guests were as follows:

Professor Ray Kinsella, lecturer in financial regulation and ethics at University College Dublin's Smurfit School.

Web: http://ucdbusiness.ucd.ie/
Phone: 01 716 8934
Email: smurfitschool@ucd.ie
Professor Brian McGing, School of Classics, Trinity College
Web: http://www.tcd.ie/Classics/
Phone: 01 896 1208

Gordon Linney, former Church of Ireland Archdeacon of Dublin
Web: www.ireland.anglican.org/home.php

AN EASTER BUSINESS.

South Hill Enterprises,
t/a Divine Chocolates,
Cloran Road,
Athboy,
Co Meath
Contact: Maura Melia
Tel: +353 46 9432899
Email: divinechoc@eircom.net

South Hill Enterprises is a small food business operating in Athboy, Co Meath. It trades under the name "Divine Chocolates" and manufactures a range of fine handmade chocolates specialising in chocolates for Christmas, Easter, weddings and conferences.

Programme 30: 1st April 2007

Review of the week, R&D in Ireland & the American economy

The American Chamber of Commerce recently published a strategic paper -"Retuning the Growth Engine" - which sets out a blueprint for co-operation between the Irish government, Irish business and the base of US multinationals in this country in order to build an innovation base to underpin Ireland's future sustainable growth. Mike Devane, chair of the American Chamber's R&D group, joined us to discuss the report and the current state of the US economy. We were also joined by Eugene Kiernan, head of AIB Capital Market's Multimanager team.

Web: www.amcham.ie

Phone: 016616201
Email: info@amcham.ie
Web: www.aib.ie

Phone: 01 874 0222

Irish Times article in response to the American Chamber's report - click here

The full report is available here

IT TALLAGHT SYNERGY CENTRE
Christopher went to visit IT Tallaght and their newly opened Synergy centre, designed to "hothouse" new enterprise and develop real connections between the academic and business disciplines

He talked to Nicola Mountford, the Centre Manager, who showed him around.

Christopher also talked to 2 of the businesses in the centre. ClearTone Technologies' managing directors, Martin and Declan Ganter, gave the story of how they are revolutionising hearing testing with their digital audiometer and why it will make their fortune.

Documation is a software operation with a special printing application called WEB4 PRINT,

Web4Print
S14, Synergy Centre
ITT Dublin, Tallaght
Dublin 24, Ireland

email  info@web4print.com

www.synergycentre.ie

Synergy Centre, ITT Dublin, Tallaght, Dublin 24
 Ph: (01) 404 2221 Fax: (01)
  Email: innovate@synergycentre.ie

Boardmatch
Boardmatch Ireland is a unique free service that matches non-profit boards and skilled and experienced volunteers. It matches the skills of people from the corporate sector with suitable projects in the voluntary sector. It operates principally through a free web-based matching service, which matches people willing to volunteer their skills at a board level, with organisations needing additional skills on their boards.

Voluntary Sector Organisation:

BOND - Blanchardstown Offenders for New Directions

Web:                 www.bondproject.ie

Address:           37 37a Coolmine Industrial Estate Blanchardstown D15
Director:            Paul Bailey
Phone:              01-8208414 

Matched Board Member, recruited through Boardmatch 

Name:               Padraig Bermingham, of Bermingham Condron Accountants
Address:           Damastown Way, Damastown Business Park Blanchardstown D15
Phone:              01 8226480 

For more information on Boardmatch:
Web:                 www.boardmatchireland.ie
Email:               info@boardmatchireland.ie
Phone:              01 4535023

Programme 29: 25th March 2007

REVIEW OF THE BUSINESS AND STOCKS WEEK
With Robbie Kelleher, Head of research with Davy Stockbrokers
Web: www.davy.ie
Email: csu@davy.ie
Phone: 01-6797788

BUSINESS BOOKS -WORTH THE PAPER THEY'RE WRITTEN ON? 
Larry Broderick, the general secretary of the IBOA, and intellectual property advisor, Liam Birkett reviewed 2 business books for us this week

Book: You don't need a title to be a leader
Author: Mark Sanborn
Publisher: Random House (UK) 
Mark Sanborn is a motivational speaker and president of Sanborn & Associates, "an ideas studio for leadership development". He speaks to more than 100 business audiences annually on topics such as leadership, team building, customer service and mastering change.

For more information have a look at www.marksanborn.com

Book: Brand Alchemy - Developing successful brands from the inside out
Authors: Susanna Mitterer & Nick Brice
Publisher:  Blackhall Publishing
Susanna Mitterer is a senior consultant and former managing director of the organisation and people development company TMI UK. She was head of the TMI brand consulting practice.
Nick Brice has worked as principal consultant in TMI UK for twenty years

LARRY BRODERICK
www.iboa.ie
IBOA
IBOA House, Upper Stephen Street, Dublin 8,
Ph: 01 4755908 Fax: 01 4780567
LIAM BIRKETT
17 Altamont Hall, Stoney Road, Dublin 14.
Email: birkett@eircom.net
Phone: 01-2968692

GREAT WESTERN MINING CORPORATION
This is a story of an Irish company who have just (re)opened a gold mine in Nevada. Emmett O'Connell, K.ST.G. Chairman and CEO tells the story - along with co-investors, Nial Ring and Liam McGrattan

Irish-American businessman, Emmett O'Connell has been a promoter and investor of technology and exploration companies for over 30 years. He has been involved in a number of highly successful public and private companies quoted on both the London, Dublin and Vancouver Stock Exchanges. He has been twice nominated as one of the top 100 Irish-American business people by Irish-America Magazine.

Nial Ring FCCA, is Non-Executive Independent Director and has a background in the financial services industry in Dublin, London and New York with both Allied Irish Bank PLC and Bankgesellschaft, Berlin.  He is also a government appointed Director to IDA Ireland and is Chairman of its Investment Committee and was a former Chairman of its Audit & Finance Committee.  .

Liam McGrattan, Investor Relations Director, has a background in sales and finance, and successfully launched Custom Finance Ltd., a specialist leasing company. He has specialised in the Small-Cap Equities Market for the last ten years.  Liam has been involved in a number of highly successful private and publicly quoted companies on the OFEX market and the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange. He is presently Managing Director of Wilhan Limited, an international private investment company. 
 
Kathryn Byrne, Limelight Communications.
Tel 045 856 346  Mob. 085 2336033
Kathryn.byrne@limelight.ie

Programme 28: 18th March 2007

Review of the week
Jim Power, chief economist at Friends First, was on hand to discuss the big business stories of the week & give his reactions to this week's events on the stock markets.

Web: www.friendsfirst.ie
Email: callcentre@friendsfirst.ie
Phone: 01 6610600

Going green
Brian Motherway, head of industry at SEI (Sustainable Energy Ireland) gave us an overview of the energy needs of Irish businesses & the green alternatives available.
Web: www.sei.ie
Phone: 01 8369080

Wind energy is one of the best known methods of green energy. Dave McNamara founded his company, Renewable Power Generation, last year. He joined us to discuss the merits of wind energy and explains the cost benefits it offers to Irish businesses.
Website
Email: dave.mcnamara@r-p-g.ie

Stuart Steele told us how his family's duck farming business, Silverhill Foods, has come up with a unique and environmentally friendly way to recycle duck manure.
Web: www.silverhillfoods.com
Phone: 047 87124

Wood Energy Development in the Western Region - Key Conclusions - Click here

The full report is available for download from www.wdc.ie from Tuesday 20th March 2007.  This report marks the conclusion of phase one research and consultation of the project.  This report is the baseline study from which to develop a strategic overview and action plan to support the growth of the wood energy sector in the Western Region.

Programme 27: 11th March 2007

Broadband - the key issues
Pierre Danon, chairman of Eircom, joined us live to discuss the position that Eircom has in the Irish telecommunications markets and to tell us about their plans to enhance their services.

Web: www.eircom.ie 
Phone: 01 6714444

Mike Byrne, chairman of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) took part in our discussion on the current state of play in the Irish broadband market.

Web: www.comreg.ie
Phone: 01-8049600

Our discussion on broadband also included some snippets from other players within the sector.

Programme 26: 4th March 2007

World stock markets take a hit
Donny Hough is a 22 year veteran floor trader of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and now runs the Investors Club Network Midwest in the Chicago area. He co-ordinates his own clubs and coaches individuals on stock market education. Donny gave us his reaction to events this week on world markets.

Web: www.ticn.com
Phone: 1800 367 693

Paul Kenny of financial spread betting company, Delta Index, also gave his reaction to the dramatic events on the markets this week.

Web: www.deltaindex.com
Phone: 1850 88 20 20

Marketing
John attended the annual conference of the Marketing Institute & spoke with former head of marketing at Lego, Christian Majgaard. He is a renowned speaker on business innovation, branding, marketing and strategy.He left LEGO to help international companies develop and implement strategies for customer-focused growth as an independent consultant.

Web: www.mmi.ie

Wealth management
Paul Keenan, managing partner at BDO Simpson Xavier, told us where he'd advise his clients to put their money after equities tumbled this week. He also spoke BDO Simpson Xavier recent award for camraderie!

Web: www.bdosx.ie
Phone: 01-4700000

Programme 25: 25th February 2007
The Irish film industry & tax incentives

As Hollywood waits with baited breath to hear who has taken the honours this year, we took a look back at the tax breaks which helped to boost Ireland's film industry and consider what needs to be done to revive the industry now.

Click here for details of Section 481 (Formerly Section 35)
Taken from www.iftn.ie/legal

James Hickey, partner and head of the Entertainment Law Group at Matheson Ormsby Prentice solicitors, gave us an overview of Section 481 and what it involves.

Web: www.mop.ie
Email: mop@mop.ie
Phone: 01- 6199000

Ciaran O'Connor is a director & film maker. His first feature film, Capital Letters, will be released in April. He is also managing director of New Decade Film & TV Production and a member of Screen Producers Ireland.

Web: www.newdecade.ie
Email: info@newdecade.ie
Phone: 01- 2765071

Place your bets.
Paddy Power spoke to John about some of the novelty bets that could win you a euro or two at this year's Oscars. The first to cry, the best dresses and how many times the man above gets a mention are all worth a punt.

Web: www.paddypower.com

Mobile tickets
OUR "BE BACK TO YOU LATER " SPOT
The Business decided earlier this year to follow a small start up company with an original idea to see how it develops over the next year. Throughout the series we will revisit them - And Icora really is a very small startup business with only 2 staff.

We spoke to Louise Kirke & Donal Foley of Icora Ltd, a start up company using mobile phone text as a means of providing event tickets and other services to the public.  This was our first return visit to the company and they told us how they had been getting on since we last saw them.

Icora Ltd.,
Invent Centre,
DCU,
Dublin 9.
Tel: 01 700 8674
Email: info@icora.ie
Website: www.icora.ie

Programme 24: 18th February 2007
Mobile phones

The 3GSM World Congress took place in Barcelona this week. A number of Irish companies attended the event & representatives of two of those companies spoke with John about the big news emerging from the week in Barcelona.

Paddy Holohan is chief executive of NewBay Software, which provides mobile community and social networking solutions and works with a number of big players including T-Mobile USA, O2 and Orange.

Web: www.newbay.com 
Email: info@newbay.com 
Phone: 01- 634 5480

Cellusys is a mobile telecommunications software company, which provides mobile network operators, system integrators and other businesses with a suite of software solutions for messaging, SMS conference calling, digital content delivery, mobile email and IP based voice systems. Managing director of Cellusys, Dawood Ghalaeiny, spoke about new developments over the last few days.

Web: www.cellusys.com  
Email: info@cellusys.com
Phone: 01- 642 5000

China
Enda Brogan is a freelance journalist based in Beijing. He spoke with John about the current economic climate in China, the prospects for the coming months and the factors which could hinder progress.

Employment Law
Former chairman of the Labour Court and human resources consultant, John Horgan, spoke about the enormous increase in labour legislation in recent years and described how a trouble-free overhaul can help small and medium sized employers ensure they are complying with all relevant laws and applying good employment practices in their businesses.

Email:    johnhorgan@eircom.net
Mobile: 086 805 1569

You can also find out more about this service from Colin McGlynn at CMG Consultants.

Address:
CMG Consultants, 3rd Floor, Clare Hall Shopping Centre, Clare Hall, D17.
Email:    cmcglynn@cmgconsultants.ie
Phone:   01 8770842

Programme 23: 11th February 2007
Review of the week

Robbie Kelleher, head of research at Davy, spoke with John about the big stories of the week.
Web: www.davy.ie
Email: csu@davy.ie
Phone: 01-6797788

Irish rugby legend and managing director of the investment banking division of Goldman Sachs in Dublin, Hugo MacNeill, was in studio to discuss the news of the week and the business of sport.

Web: www.goldmansachs.com
Phone: 01-4396000

Finding love online
With the feast of St Valentine looming, Grainne Barry, co-owner and business development director of Irish online dating business, Anotherfriend.com, was on hand to discuss finding love online and the business of the heart.
 
Web: www.anotherfriend.com
Email: info@anotherfriend.com

Competition
Win flights to Paris with Air France courtesy of CityJet.  With more choice flying 7 times a day book on-line at www.airfrance.ie.
 
In honour of Valentines' Day, we teamed up with CityJet to give away two pairs of return flights to Paris.

The lucky winners were Maureen Kelly from Rutland, Co Carlow and Paddy Keenan from Swords, Co Dublin. Well done!

Programme 22: 4th February 2007
The Cork economy

Joe Gantly joined us live from RTE's Cork studio to give his views on the recent jobs news for Cork and future prospects for the region. Joe is chief executive of Cork based technology company Sensl, former managing director of European Operations at Apple and the vice chair of the Cork Chamber of Commerce. He is also the current Chairman of the Cork Airport Authority. Joe also discussed the big winners from the Cork Chamber business awards for 2006.

Web: www.sensl.com
Email: info@sensl.com
Phone: 021-4350442

Branding

Intellectual property advisor and business development consultant, Liam Birkett, spoke with John about some high profile brand disputes. John also spoke with Rita Clifton, chairman of Interbrand UK, about the future of branding and the big brands to watch for 2007.

Liam Birkett
Address: 17 Altamont Hall, Stoney Road, Dublin 14.
Email: birkett@eircom.net
Phone: 01-2968692

Interbrand UK
Address: 85 Strand, London WC2R 0DW, United Kingdom
Web: www.interbrand.com
Email: info@interbrand.com
Phone: 0044 207 554 1000

US Stocks

Donny Hough is a 22 year veteran floor trader of the Chicago Board Options Exchange and now runs the Investors Club Network Midwest in the Chicago area.
He co-ordinates his own clubs and coaches individuals on stock market education. He spoke with John about the latest stories from the US stock market.

He co-ordinates his own clubs and coaches individuals on stock market education. Donny chose 4 US stocks to watch -  ( these are their Friday closing Prices in US Dollars)

Boston Scientific        $18.26
Cree Research           $16.43
Dell Computer            $23.52
McDonalds                 $44.54

Web: www.ticn.com
Phone: 1800 367 693

Programme 21: 28th January 2007

Investing in Kerry
John spoke with some representatives of the Kingdom to find out why business is booming and what's ahead.

Martin Riordan, Kerry County Manager
Address: County Buildings, Rathass, Tralee, Co. Kerry
Email: manager@kerrycoco.ie
Phone: 066-7183540

John also spoke with Tom Murray who has invested in a new hotel development in Cahirciveen and asked him about doing business in Kerry.

Selling your home privately
Web: www.privateseller.ie
Email: info@privateseller.ie
Phone: 045-528566

Started in 2004, Privateseller.ie is now Ireland's largest dedicated private sales website and service. Fiona McLoughlin, the company's founder, talked to John about  her business and explained  how it could help people selling their home to save thousands on commission fees.

Development hot spots
Web: www.lisney.com
Email: jmccartney@lisney.com
Phone: 01-6382700

John McCartney, Research Manager with Lisney, told John about five new development hot-spots that have been created by the National Development Plan.

Reheated Development plan
As part of the Government's commitment to all things green much of the NDP appeared to be recycled, so in order to make it more palatable, a bit of reheating might be required,. So John offered 2 microwaves ( courtesy of DID Electrical)  to listeners who could tell us the budget total of the NDP.. The answer is €184bn by the way.

Programme 20: 21st January 2007

John headed for sunnier climes this week and brought us a special show from the Irish trade mission in the Gulf region. The trade mission, which was led by An Taoiseach, was one of the largest trade missions ever from Ireland and involved some 114 companies. John met with the Irishman who runs the world's most luxurious hotel.

During  his visit John interviewed the following companies and people

Vilicom
John talked Joe Moore Business Director, Seán Keating Head of Consulting and local rep Immad  Da Ghoosh

Vilicom is a privately-owned company established in Dublin, Ireland in 1999. It's main business is engineering for cellular phone networks. Villicom has just formally opened the company's new subsidiary in the Saudi capital Riyadh. At the moment, the company is installing a complete mobile phone network in Riyadh.

Vilicom,
12D Joyce Way, Park West Business Park,
Dublin 12, Ireland.
Phone: +353 1-642 9800
Fax: +353 1-642 9810
Email: info@vilicom
www.vilicom.com

Sama Airlines
Irish man Mark Breen is the CEO of Sama Airlines, the latest low cost carrier licensed in Saudi Arabia . Mark tells John how Sama  was founded by Investment Enterprises Ltd, chaired by HRH Prince Bandar bin Khalid al Faisal, who headhunted him to the airline ..
www.flysama.com

DATAC Control International Ltd
When he arrived in Dubai John talked to Cyril Kerr Chairman of  DATAC Control International -Dublin based DATAC designs and manufactures a range of  Remote Monitoring Systems and so called  M2M ( Machine to Machine)  products and services for organisations working in the Water and Wastewater, Oil and Propane Gas, Marine, Power & Telecommunications. In the Gulf it specialises in remote monitoring by GSM and similar systems of oil wells, pipelines etc.

DATAC Control International Ltd.
(International Headquarters)
Unit 19 Trinity Enterprise Centre,
Pearse St.,
Dublin 2,
Ireland.
Tel: +353-1-6717377
Fax: +353-1-6717470
info@dataconline.com
www.dataconline.com

John also talked to Scott Wetherall of eProduction Solutions, Inc. (eP), part of  Weatherford International, one of the worlds biggest oilfield engineering companies, are local partners for DATAC.
www.ep-solutions.com

Valentia Technologies
John also ran into Ahmed Javed Chief Operating Officer of Dublin based Valentia Technologies, who had just been involved in  the signing of a contract between the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Dublin Fire brigade, Valentia Technologies and representatives of the United Arab Emirates Ambulance Service and Dubai Police at the Sheikh Rashid Hospital. Valentia provide a wide range of software services, but the one in question here is  AmPaCT, which enables paramedics to transmit live video footage and audio commentary in real-time from say an accident site  to screens in Emergency Departments.

Valentia Technologies Limited
Unit B7
Nutgrove Enterprise Park
Nutgrove Way
Rathfarnham
Dublin 14
Ireland
Phone: +353 1 493 7624
Email: info@valentiatech.com
www.valentiatech.com

Enterprise Ireland
Frank Ryan is CEO of Enterprise Ireland, the main organisers of the trade mission and he gave John his summary of how things had gone for the 114 companies that were involved

Enterprise Ireland,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 9.
Tel: +(353 1) 808 2000
Fax:+(353 1) 808 2020
www.enterprise-ireland.com

Burj Al Arab Hotel
Irishman Gerald Lawless is CEO of the Jameira hotel group, including the 7 star Burj Al Arab hotel, possibly the best hotel in the world which is located in the Jumeirah Beach area of Dubai, 15 km from the main city centre. It is surely the best known building in Dubai - and you will be happy to know that the Irish party were not staying in the hotel.. they had to settle for relatively down market 5 star hotels.

PO BOX 74147, DUBAI, UAE
TEL: +971 4 3017777
FAX: +971 4 3017000
www.burj-al-arab.com/

Programme 19: 14th January 2007

Checkback International
Address: Main Building, Library Square, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.
Web: www.checkback.ie
Phone: 01-4124474

CheckBack International is a fully Irish-owned company that provides pre-employment screening for a range of companies from the IT sector to banking, manufacturing to transport. John met with Joey Lyons, the company's general manager.

Fexco
Address: Iveragh Road, Killorglin, Co. Kerry.
Web: www.fexco.com
Phone: 066-9761258

FEXCO is a privately owned company headquartered in Kerry, which provides a range of global payment services, financial services and online travel-related products. It is one of a number of companies participating in a trade mission to the Middle East next week. John was joined on the line by Dick Spring, the company's vice chairman and former Tánaiste, to discuss the company's plans for its business in the region.

Technology
Adrian Weckler, the editor of the Sunday Business Post's personal technology section joined John in studio to discuss the latest developments in the world of technology.

Programme 18: 7th January 2007

National Radio Cabs
Address: 40 James' Street, Dublin 8.
Web: www.radiocabs.ie
Phone: 01-708 9222 (Admin) & 01-677 2222 (To book a taxi)
Email: info@radiocabs.ie

National Radio Cabs is one of Dublin's largest taxi fleets & the company provided John's chariot for his trip around the city. Also on hand was taxi driver Gerry to give his opinions on the predictions for next year.

Goodbody Stockbrokers
Address: Ballsbridge Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
Web: www.goodbody.ie
Phone: 01-6140600

Joe Gill, head of research at Goodbody, discussed his thoughts for the year ahead with John.

Bloxham
Address: Head Office, IFSC, 2/3 Exchange Place, Dublin 1.
Web: www.bloxham.ie
Phone: 01-6119200

John spoke with Kevin McConnell, head of equity research at Bloxham, about what 2007 holds in store for Irish businesses.

CB Richard Ellis
Address: Connaught House, Number 1 Burlington Road, Dublin 4.
Web: www.cbre.com
Phone: 01 6185500
Email: marie.hunt@cbreg.ie

John spoke with Marie Hunt, director of research at CB Richard Ellis, about the outlook for the property market in 2007.

Gold Investments
Address: 63 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2.
Web: www.gold.ie
Phone: 01 6325010
Email: info@gold.ie 

Gold Investments is a financial services company specialising in wealth preservation strategies. John asked Stephen Flood, director of Gold Investments, how gold will fare in 2007.

Programme 17: 31st December 2006

Cooks Academy

Address: 2 Charlemont Terrace, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
Web: www.cooksacademy.com
Phone: 01-2145002
Email: info@CooksAcademy.com

Husband and wife team, Tim & Vanessa Greenwood, established Cooks Academy in May 2005. Their business was the Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown winner in this year's National Enterprise Awards. They provide a range of courses to individuals and corporates from fully-fitted kitchens in a Georgian sea-front building. The school caters for a wide range of cookery enthusiasts, with a range of different courses. It also runs corporate evenings.

IFS (Integrated Facilities Solutions)

Address: Block 8, Blanchardstown Corporate Park, Dublin 15.
Web: www.ifacsolutions.com
Phone: 01-8097262
Email: info@ifacsolutions.com

This company provides information management systems in the facilities, property and construction industries. It was set up by two entrepreneurs, Kieran Beggan and George Harold. IFS, which was supported by Fingal County Enterprise Board, was the overall winner of the National Enterprise Awards in 2005. Since Kieran and George first spoke with John last year, their business has gone from strength to strength and they are hoping to expand into the UK and Chinese markets next year.

Smarthomes

Address: Finnabair Industrial Park, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Web: www.smarthomes.ie
Phone: 042 9394 055
Email: sales@smarthomes.ie
The managing director of Smarthomes, Sean Gallagher, joined John at Cooks Academy and tried his hand at beef stroganoff whilst discussing his company's growth this year. Smarthomes install modern cabling and technology systems in new homes, providing home owners with access to a wide range of communication and entertainment services. Just before Christmas, the company announced planned investment of €10m and the creation of 100 new jobs over the next three years.

Senator Shane Ross

Address: Seanad Eireann, Dublin 2.
Web: www.shane-ross.ie
Phone: 01 6183014
Email: shane.ross@oireachtas.ie

Senator Shane Ross donned his apron and joined John to discuss the past year in business. Shane reflected on the year that was 2006 and whipped up an impressive chocolate roulade!

For details of the dishes cooked by our guests, click here.

To take a look at some snaps of our festive cookery extravaganza, click here.

Programme 16: 17th December 2006

Is the customer always right?

Eleanor O'Kelly Lynch,
Golden Apple Training,
11 Glanmire Court, Glanmire, Co. Cork
Phone: 087-2773737
Email: goldenapple@eircom.net

Eleanor set up her business, Golden Apple Training, last year. She provides training in sales, customer service and personal development. She joined John live from Cork to discuss the art of good customer service.

Customer Services
Our regular contributor, Karin Whooley, joined John live in studio to review the various surveys that she has conducted for The Business and also to give her views on customer service in Ireland.

A visit to Santa
The Business brings you a special festive treat as some familiar personalities tell Santa what they really want for Christmas this year

Executive gifts
Our guide to the top gifts for over-worked executives...
Click here for more

Text poll

This week we asked you who was to blame for BUPA pulling out of the Irish market. We were overwhelmed with entries and the final result was....60.1% of you said that the government was at fault.

Competition winners

Four lucky listeners won a voucher for €250 for Dundrum Town Centre. The winners were:

We have four winners of 250 Euro Gift Cards from Dundrum Town Centre.

Tony Bannon, Balliniteer,  Dublin 16

Christina O' Sullivan, Milford, Co Donegal

Chris Shiels, Loch Gowna, Co Cavan

Barbara Anne Murphy, Bunclody,Co Wexford 

Programme 15: 10th December 2006

Stock picks - one year on

Pramit Ghosh,
Head of Wealth Management,
Bloxham Stockbrokers
01-6119200

Philip Kearney,
Fund Manager,
Hibernian Investment Managers
6700950

Pramit & Philip both joined John live in studio to review their stock picks from last year & also to discuss news of the week.

Business networks for women

Alison Herbert,
President of Network Ireland
pra@iol.ie

Alison joined John live from the Galway studio. She discussed business networks for women & her own business, PR Associates.

Boozeberries:

Michelle Power,
Boozeberries,
Ballyconnell Lodge,
Tullow,
Co. Carlow
059-9156312
info@boozeberries.com

Michelle joined John to discuss her artisan liqueur business & also to add to the discussion on business networks for women. She also spoke about the supports in place for small businesses in Ireland.

Programme 14: 3rd December 2006

Broadstone Engineering
Owen Leonard
Broadstone Engineering, Unit 2, Enterprise Centre, Ballintogher, Sligo
Website: www.bel.ie
Phone: 071-9134780
Email: owen@bel.ie

John met with Owen Leonard, one of the founders of Broadstone Engineering, a company that is involved in the development of rainwater harvesting and rainwater treatment systems. The company's products are designed to harvest and treat rainwater to domestic water standards for domestic & commercial applications. The company was the Sligo nominee for National Enterprise Awards last year.

Technical Ideas
Dermot Dolan
1 Maugheraboy Cross, Oakfield Road, Sligo.
Website: www.technical-ideas.com
Phone: 071-9148940
Email: admin@technical-ideas.com

Technical Ideas, which was the runner up at the final of this year's National Enterprise Awards, makes a software package called Socrates for GPs. John met with Dermot Dolan, the company's founder, to discuss the company's growth since its establishment in 2004.

MBNA Ireland
Ian O'Doherty (CEO Ireland)
Website: www.mbna.ie

Multinational credit card company MBNA set up an office in Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim in July 2001. Since then approximately 1,000 jobs have been created by the company. MBNA's Irish chief, Ian O'Doherty, spoke with John and told him about the MBNA's business and operating from a less than typical location.

Programme 13: 26th November 2006

Responsible Employer Award

Sean O'Dowd, owner, Ballydougan Pottery
Email: info@ballydouganpottery.co.uk
Phone: 048-38342201

Sean O'Dowd was named the "Responsible Employer of the Year" at the Chambers Ireland's President's Awards for CSR last week. He won the award for a project with Roy Conn, a man who had sustained a brain injury in a road accident in the 1970's, which resulted in memory loss and limited movement in his right arm and hand. Whilst attending Millview Resource Centre, a day care facility for physically disabled adults, Roy's skill as a potter was identified & the project aimed to develop this skill and give Roy his confidence back.

Biometrics
John Beckett, CEO, Byamsys Ltd, Invent Centre, DCU, Dublin 9
Website: www.byamsys.com
Phone: 01-700 7015
Email: info@byamsys.com

Byamsys develops biometric solutions for access control and time & attendance for a range of clients. Products include TruancyGuard, a fingerprint scanning system, which is used in a number of Irish schools including Mount Anville in Dublin.

We also spoke with Grainne Clear, a teacher at the school, to see how the system works. Students Chantelle, Lisa, Lydia and Sophie also shared their thoughts on the new technology with The Business team.

Programme 12: 19th November 2006

Retail Franchisee of the Year
John was joined in studio by Gareth & Nicola Jones, the winners of the 2006 Retail Franchisee of the Year award to discuss their experiences & also to talk about franchising in Ireland. The brother & sister duo run two outlets of the popular Bagel Factory chain, one on Grafton Street and one in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

For more information, take a look at www.bagelfactory.ie

Michael Johnson
Chief executive officer, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board
Phone: 01-494 8400
Email: info@dlrceb.ie
Web: www.dlrceb.ie & www.enterpriseboards.ie

Michael Johnson, chairman of the national association of city & county enterprise boards and chief executive of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Enterprise Board joined John to respond to our item last week on Paper FX. Michael told John how the enterprise network works and the support that they provide to fledgling businesses.

Mortgage switching piece
Our regular contributor, Karin Whooley, explained how to change mortgage providers and gave listeners some advice on the issues they might face and the costs involved. For a detailed reference guide, take a look at Karin's fact sheet. (CLICK HERE)

Organic businesses
John recently attended Ireland's first organic conference, which was held in Carrick-on-Shannon in County Leitrim. He spoke with a number of business people operating within the organic sector in Ireland.

Programme 11: 12th November 2006

Noel Donegan & Luz Java
Inventors of Paper FX
Web: www.luzjava.com
Email: noeldonegan@luzjava.com

Noel & Luz joined John live in studio to tell their story. They explained how their product, Paper FX, a craft weaving toy, came about. Noel described how his business idea has grown into a worldwide success despite the lack of support from 'official Ireland'.

Peter Brown
Chief executive officer, Flair Leisure Products
Phone: 0044 20 8643 0320
Web: www.flairplc.co.uk
Address: Flair Leisure Products PLC, Anne Boleyn House, 9-13 Ewell Road, Cheam, Surrey, SM3 8BZ, UK

Peter Brown, chief executive of Flair joined us live on the line to discuss Paper FX's success to date. He told John about the product's uniqueness and why it had taken off so quickly.

Betty Spyropoulous
Business unit manager, Moose Enterprise.
Phone: 0061 3 9579 7377
Web: www.mooseworld.com.au
Address: 7-13 Ardena Court, East Bentleigh, Melbourne VIC 3165, Australia

Earlier this week John spoke with Betty Spyropoulous, who works with Australian toy distributor Moose Enterprise. Betty told John about how Paper FX has taken off Down Under. She described the product's popularity with retailers and predicted a big success at the tills this Christmas.

Jeremy Gardener
Founder of Design Works Windsor
Phone: 0044 1753 842404
Web: www.designworkswindsor.co.uk
Address: Unit 2, Windsor Business Centre, Windsor, Berks, SL41SP,UK

Jeremy Gardener, the man behind the design company that brought Paper FX from a concept to a product, spoke with John earlier this week. He explained how Noel & Luz first got in touch with him through the BBC show, The Apprentice and recounted the journey from there to here.

Greg Swift
Chief executive, Dublin City Enterprise Board
Phone: 01 6776068
Web: www.dceb.ie
Email: info@dceb.ie
Address: 17 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2.

Greg Swift from Dublin City Enterprise Board told John why Dublin City Enterprise Board did not support Noel & Luz's application for financial support. He explained the type of criteria that applicants for financial support are judged on.

If you have a business idea and are interested in turning it into a reality, further information on financial support (for Dublin city residents) can be found by accessing the link below.

www.dceb.ie/opencontent/default.asp?itemId=13

This type of financial support is administered by county and city enterprise boards nationwide. For more details on your county, log on to.

www.enterpriseboards.ie

Programme 10: 5th November 2006

This week on The Business, John Murray joined in studio by:

David Harvey, MD, City Channel who is about to open local tv in Waterford.

Website: www.city.ie

Fiona Scott, MD, MCM Communications on media changes & conglomeration in ownership

Website: www.mcconnells.ie
E-mail: fiona.scott@mcmcommunications.ie                       
Phone: 01 417 7689

Shaun McColgan, MD Modern Timber Homes - Winner of National Enterprise Awards 2006

Website: www.moderntimberhomes.ie
Email: smccolgan@moderntimberhomes.ie
Phone: 074 9160590
Address: Modern Timber Homes, Bonagee, Letterkenny
Co. Donegal

Tim Connor, US Based Sales Trainer & Speaker joined us in studio. Tim will be speaking at the Sales Institute of Ireland Annual half-day Conference in Croke Park on Wednesday 8th November. The conference is entitled "Selling in Competitive Markets"

Website: www.salesinstitute.ie
Brochure: www.salesinstitute.ie/sii-conf-brochure.pdf

This week, we also launched our Jargon Chat-Up Line Competition

Do you come here often? Or how to deliver a killer chat up line in best business style jargon.

And for the 3 most creative answers by e-mail to thebusiness@rte.ie till next Friday - we have
weekends for two in either Brooks Hotel in Dublin or the Connemara Coast Hotel just outside Galway city. That will include 2 nights B&B plus dinner one night.

So if you can populate your creative mindspace with some nifty jargon chat up lines you might be able to win one of those weekends with the Sinnott Hotel group. Your answers by e-mail to thebusiness@rte.ie

We'll tell you the 3 winners in next week's show!

Programme 9: 29th October 2006

This week John headed to Louth to learn about "incubation centres" or more specifically the to the Millmount Development Centre in Drogheda and just how successful this approach can be for start up companies

Dundalk Institute of Technology opened its Regional Development Centre, one of the first such incubation centres, in 1988.  Since then, over 50 entrepreneurs have been passed through the centre. Three years ago a joint initiative between Dundalk Institute of Technology, Drogheda Borough Council, Louth County Council, Louth County Enterprise Board and Enterprise Ireland resulted in the establishment of a small pilot incubation facility at Millmount. This off campus wing is now home to eight self contained units, which support new enterprises in the software development and ICT sectors.

John met with the following companies on his visit to Millmount:

Armac Systems is a software company specialising in inventory provisioning and has created a unique system to aid decision making when provisioning for spare parts investment. The company was founded by chief executive Micheál Armstrong, an engineering graduate with over 15 years experience in the aerospace maintenance sector.

Web: www.armacsystems.com
Phone: 041-9805930

Redmere Technology was founded in 2004 by its current CEO Peter Smyth. The semiconductor company specialises in high-speed, very low-power products for consumer multimedia applications. Smyth previously worked for a number of other firms within the sector and holds a degree in electronic engineering.

Web: www.redmeretechnology.com
Phone: 041-9805920

XDS Ireland is striving to create a single, universal network service to provide simple mobile and secure low cost, access to any computing and digital service from anywhere on the Internet. XDS is currently undergoing trials for its first service with a selected number of corporate customers in the US. David Tracey, the company's managing director and one of its founding software architects, spoke with John.

Web: www.xdsinc.net (currently being developed)

He also spoke with:

Sean Mac Entee
Incubation centre manager, Dundalk Institute of Technology
Web: www.novation.ie
Phone: 042-9370453

Des Foley
Town Clerk, Drogheda Borough Council
Phone: 041-9833511
Email: info@droghedaboro.ie

Programme 8: 22nd October 2006

On The Business this week we began with a text-poll. We decided that Dingle shouldn't be the only place where they have elections for name changes, so we asked listeners if The Business should change its name to its Irish equivalent, which Irish experts tell us would be Cursai Gno. 53% of texters were against the proposed change while 47% were for the change.

Aer Lingus and O'Leary
Michael O'Leary is very explicit about his plans for Aer Lingus.

With the Weekly Stocks & Markets Analysis, John Murray was joined by James Forbes, Senior Investment Strategist with Hibernian Investment Managers
Website: www.him.ie
E-mail: him@hibernian.ie
Address: Hibernian Investment Managers Limited, La Touche House, IFSC, Custom House Docks, Dublin 1
Phone: 01 670 0950
Fax: 01 670 0944

For our Business feature this week we revisited a company that we featured back in May on a trip to Limerick. Parkmagic is a young company which has developed a technology that allows you to pay for your parking through a unit that you display on your dashboard. John spoke to Paul Fitzgerald, CEO of the company

Website: www.parkmagic.net
info@parkmagic.net
Click here for Press Releases

Address: Park Magic Mobile Solutions Ltd,
Riverfront,
Howley's Quay
Limerick
Ireland
Tel: 061 311422
Fax: 087 52546840

John was joined in studio by John Cranfield, First Step Microfinance Corporation. First Step offers seed capital to small start-up businesses which have difficulty raising finance from the banks.

Wesbite: www.first-step.ie
Email: info@first-step.ie
Address: First Step
Jefferson House,
Eglinton Road, Donnybrook,
Dublin 4
Telephone: (01) 260 0988
Facsimile: (01) 260 0989

"Some listeners were concerned that First Step were not taking on new clients - so we asked first step and this is what they said"

Statement by John Cranfield, CEO, First Step Microfinance

"First Step operates two distinct loan funds. The first fund, the First Step Enterprise Fund finances the majority of First Step Microfinance clients.  This fund is marketed through our web site, banks, City and County Enterprise Boards and other marketing initiatives.  This fund continues to lend. 

The second fund, the First Step Back to Work Fund is jointly funded by First Step and the Department of Social and Family Affairs.  This fund is restricted to clients who are in receipt of State assistance, mainly unemployment benefit and single parent allowance.  Referrers of business are generally social welfare offices and partnership companies.  Demand for this loan fund has grown significantly since we launched it in 1995.  In the light of overwhelming demand for this fund, in February 2006 First Step and the Department of Social and Family Affairs agreed to review and re-evaluate this loan programme, firstly to assess past performance and secondly to identify future requirements.  During this review process it was agreed that all lending from this fund would be put on hold.

This review was subsequently delayed by decentralisation issues impacting on administrative resources within the Department.  We are in close contact with the Department and only recently have been advised by officials from the Department it will still be some weeks before the Department's review exercise is completed.

It is in this context that someone may have been advised incorrectly that the First Step Back to Work loan book is closed.  We share some of the frustration caused by this delay with the welfare offices and partnership companies but believe that this review is a critical process which will enhance the funding framework in the future."

John Cranfield

First Step Microfinance

Programme 7: 15th October 2006

Joe O' Dwyer, Managing Director, Oppenheim Investment Managers joined us in studio for a review of the markets and the major business stories of the week.

Website: www.montgomery-oppenheim.ie

Email: jod@bloomberg.net

Address: International House,
3 Harbourmaster Place,
IFSC
Dublin 1

Phone: 01 670 2500
Fax: 01 670 2356

DUBLIN ECONOMIC WORKSHOP IN KENMARE
George Lee, RTE's Economic Editor reports from this annual economic think-in in Kerry.

BUSINESS FEATURE OF THE WEEK

flightgreeting.com - a custom meet and greet and limousine service operated at Dublin Airport for corporate and other visitors - Mr Paul Nangle, Director

Address: 395A, Howth Road, Raheny, Dublin 5
Email: info@flightgreeting.com
Telephone:  01-8058000

John spoke to Sean Clancy of Carr Golf & Corporate Travel a company that specialises in organising golf vacations to Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales and Spain.

Website: http://carrgolf.com/

John also spoke to Alan Clarke of Aerchauffeur.com
Address: Collinstown Cross Industrial Estate
Cloghran,
Co. Dublin
Telephone: 01 8421800
Outside of office hours please contact us on 085 158 3326
Email : info@aerchauffeur.com

DENTAL TOURISM
Karin Whooley goes east to get her teeth done and saves money. Click here for more information.

The website mentioned by Karin was www.hahs.pl

Programme 6: 8th October 2006

In our text poll this week, we asked listeners if they were for or against Ryanair's proposed take-over of Aer Lingus. The final result was 70% against versus 30% for the take-over.

To discuss the take-over bid, John Murray was joined in studio by:

Professor Tom Begley, Graduate School of Business, UCD
E-mail: tom.begley@ucd.ie
Website: www.ucd.ie

Pat McArdle, Chief Economist, Ulster Bank
E-mail: economics@ulsterbank.com
Website: www.ulsterbank.com

Howard Miller, Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Ryanair
Website: www.ryanair.com

You can also listen to John Murray's unique take on the proposed take-over bid - Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? (with backing vocals by Pinky and Perky www.pinkyandperky.com)

Cheese Report
Friday last saw the opening of the third biggest cheese production plant in the world in Clovis, New Mexico.
 
It's owned by Southwest Cheese - a 50:50 joint venture between the Greater Southwest Agency who supplies the milk, and Irish food group Glanbia, which operates the plant and markets its products.
 
Our reporter Emma McNamara went to Clovis New Mexico for the official opening.

Website: www.southwestcheese.com

Programme 5: 1st October 2006

This week on The Business, John Murray was joined by Declan Collier and Robbie Kelleher to discuss developments at Dublin Airport, Aer Lingus flotation, house prices and much more.. The discussion on Dublin Airport was prefaced by Michael O'Leary's attack on the Terminal 3 plans.

Declan Collier: Chief Exec Dublin Airport Authority

Website: www.dublinairportauthority.com
Address: Head Office, Dublin Airport, Co Dublin
Phone: 01 814 1111

Robbie Kelleher, Head of Research with Davy Stockbrokers:

Email: research@davy.ie
Website: www.davy.ie
Address: Davy House, 49 Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Phone: 01 6797788

Text Poll results.. We asked if listeners were in favour of open access to workers from Romania and Bulgaria on their accession to the EU.
The result was 71% against and 29% in favour.

OUR "BE BACK TO YOU LATER " SPOT
The Business is going to follow a small start up company with an original idea to see how it develops over the next year. Throughout the series we we will revisit them - And Icora  really is a very small startup business with only 2 staff.

John went to the DCU campus to meet Louise Kirke & Donal Foley  of Icora Ltd,  a start up company using mobile phone text as a means of providing event tickets and other services to the public.

The idea grew from a thesis project while both Louise & Donal were studying for an MSc in E-Commerce in DCU. Icora was awarded second prize in the postgraduate category at the Enterprise Ireland College Enterprise Awards in April and was officially registered as a company in May of this year. The Fonaticket brand was launched at the start of August, in conjunction with UCI cinemas, to coincide with the release of Miami Vice

Products:

- Developing mobile ticketing applications and promotions for entertainment venues using FonaticketT system. (ie cinema tickets sent to your mobile phone as a text message in barcode format)
- Developing mobile couponing applications and promotions for retail venues - using FonacouponT system.
- A third brand, Fonacustomer, is coming soon - market research, promotions etc

Louise Kirke,
Managing Director,
Icora Ltd.,
Invent Centre,
DCU,
Dublin 9.
Tel: 01 700 8674
Email: louise@icora.ie
Website: www.icora.ie

Programme 4: 24th September 2006

John was joined in studio by AUSTIN HUGHES - Chief Economist  at IIB Bank and well known commentator on the economy
and JOHN BUTLER - Founder and managing director of consulting organisation Century Management and author of Successful Entrepreneurial Management & also co-authored Know Yourself, Know Your Customer with Frank Scheelen. and on the phone by CONOR BROPHY of the Sunday Tribune

To discuss Stamp Duties and the role of taxation in the housing market , what's happening in Smart Telecom and in broadband in general, the role of management consultants.

Listeners were asked to give the size of Bill Gate's personal fortune  as listed in Forbes magazine and 2 winners won €100 book vouchers from the programme.. The answer is $53 Billiion.

IIB Bank,
Sandwith Street,
Dublin 2,
Tel: 01 664 6000

www.iibbank.ie
email info@iibbank.ie

Century Management Ltd,
Century House,
Newlands Business Park,
Newlands Cross,
Dublin 22
Ireland
Tel: 00 353 1 459 5950
Fax: 00 353 1459 5949
Email: info@centurymanagement.ie
Website: www.centurymanagement.ie

Programme 3: 17th September 2006

On the Business this week, John Murray was joined in studio by John O' Reilly of Davy Stockbrokers to talk about Aer Lingus and cider expansion.  John was in Clonmel during the week.

Website: www.davy.ie
E-mail: csu@davy.ie

Also in studio was Colm Lyon, MD of Realex Payments, the credit card security firm.

Website: www.realexpayments.com
E-mail: sales@realexpayments.com

The Business of Golf
With the Ryder Cup starting shortly, John met up with Gerry O'Gorman of Vachardia and Eamonn Darcy, former Ryder Cup Player.
 
Website: www.vachardia.com
E-mail: info@vachardia.com

All-Ireland Flags
So you want to know who was responsible for all those All-Ireland car flags. John was joined in studio by DJ Daly, the boss of the family firm Daly Hurleys. While they still make hurleys, most of the business now is in flags and sporting paraphernalia for soccer clubs, Munster Rugby and of course the GAA.
Pallaskenry
Limerick
061 393231 
(No current website) 

Programme 2: 10th September 2006
John Murray's guests on the Business this week were:

Anne Heraty CEO, CPL Resources
Website: www.cpl.ie
Email: info@cpl.ie

Michael Allen, MD of Allen & Smyth Constructions Ltd
Website: www.allenandsmyth.ie
Email: info@allenandsmyth.ie

Michael is also director of North Quay Developments Ltd, the company developing the Bridge Water Centre in Arklow, Co Wicklow
Website: www.bridgewatercentre.com

John spoke to David Went CEO, Irish Life and Permanent about the week of a Chief Executive.
Website: www.irishlifepermanent.ie

Techsearch.ie is an Enterprise Ireland Subsite which aims to assist companies with information and assistance on finding the right new technologies for them or as they say "Technology acquisition is the new R and D". John spoke to Kevin Burke and Jim Cuddy of Enterprise Ireland.
Click here for full interview

Website: www.techsearch.ie

And this week in our jargon slot, we look at the clichés of Brian Cowen

Programme 1: 3rd September 2006
John Murray's guests on the Business this week were:

Minister Michael Martin
Website: www.entemp.ie
Email: info@entemp.ie

Jim Power, Friends First Economist
Website: www.friendsfirst.ie
Email: callcentre@friendsfirst.ie

John spoke to Liam O'Mahoney of CRH
Website: www.crh.ie
Email: mail@crh.com