Ibec Podcasts

Tomorrow ready: trends that will shape society and business on both sides of the Atlantic

In a special bonus episode, Ibec Voices brings you insights from a recent virtual event that Ibec held with The Honourable Martin J Walsh, United States Secretary of Labour.  In a wide-ranging conversation with Ibec CEO Danny McCoy, the episode explores President Joe Biden Administration’s labour priorities, the changing labour landscape in the US and the growing trend of collectivism in the US and its implications for businesses in Ireland, particularly those US multinationals that have a ...

Human Rights: What Irish businesses need to know

This episode of Ibec Voices will focus on the changing landscape for businesses in terms of their human rights obligations, both domestically and internationally. This includes a discussion between Jim Clarken, CEO, Oxfam Ireland, and Kara McGann, Head of Social Policy, Ibec, on how the dynamic between the private sector and NGOs is evolving.  This conversation, moderated by Siobhan Masterson, Head of Corporate Affairs, Ibec, reflects on how the private sector is increasingly working with ...

Workplace dispute resolution: What you need to know

Dispute resolution is topic relevant to every employer in Ireland, and is the focus of this episode of Work Talks. It will explore questions such as: How can employers maintain positive employment relationships in workplace? What are the effective conflict resolution mechanisms that companies use? Are we becoming more litigious as a society and how can we avoid this? Tune in now to hear expert insights on the crucial issues from; Maeve McElwee, Director of Employer Relations, Ibec; Dr De...

Workplace dispute resolution – What you need to know

Dispute resolution is topic relevant to every employer in Ireland, and is the focus of this episode of Work Talks. It will explore questions such as: How can employers maintain positive employment relationships in workplace? What are the effective conflict resolution mechanisms that companies use? Are we becoming more litigious as a society and how can we avoid this? Tune in now to hear expert insights on the crucial issues from; Maeve McElwee, Director of Employer Relations, Ibec; Dr De...

HSBC and Wells Fargo on Sustainable Finance

In this episode of Ibec Voices, we are focusing on the topic of sustainable finance. It will delve in to the following questions: What is sustainable finance? Why has it risen so high on the priority list of business leaders? What does it mean, in practical terms, for businesses large and small? You will hear expert insights on these issues from two business leaders who are heavily involved in the area; Alan Duffy, CEO and Head of Banking, HSBC Ireland, and Fiona Gallagher, CEO, Wells Fa...

Making Ireland a success in tackling climate change

This episode offers insights on the upcoming climate action and low carbon legislation and the action plan that is going to support Ireland’s transition to net zero and achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. Our guests on this episode of Ibec Voices are CEO of Ibec Danny McCoy and Marie Donnelly, the Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council. The Council is the body the Government has appointed to develop the policies to meet the major regulatory changes set out of the ...

Diversity & Inclusion

Why is Diversity and Inclusion so important in workplaces and what role does it play in addressing societal issues?  Join our panel for a discussion on the importance of a diverse workplace culture as a key driver of workplace satisfaction, performance, and engagement. Maeve McElwee, Director of Employer Relations, Ibec; Oisín Ó’Gógáin, HR Director, Aon Ireland & Nordic Region; Fiona Mullan, Chief People Officer, Ding Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, v...

Work Talks: Diversity & Inclusion

Why is Diversity and Inclusion so important in workplaces and what role does it play in addressing societal issues?  Join our panel for a discussion on the importance of a diverse workplace culture as a key driver of workplace satisfaction, performance, and engagement. - Maeve McElwee, Director of Employer Relations, Ibec; - Oisín Ó’Gógáin, HR Director, Aon Ireland & Nordic Region; - Fiona Mullan, Chief People Officer, Ding

The Future of Work and the Workplace

With the lifting of Covid-related restrictions comes a renewed focus on the future of work and the workplace. How and where we will work in a post-Covid world is an issue that is currently top of mind for many employers and employees alike, and it is the topic of discussion in this episode of Ibec Voices.   Our guests are: ·      Professor Alma McCarthy, Head of the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics and Professor of Public Sector Management at the National University of Ireland, ...

Business leadership on sustainability, with Paul Polman

This episode of Ibec Voices focuses on insights from thought leader Paul Polman, a former CEO of Unilever who went on to co-found Imagine, a social venture aimed at accelerating business leadership to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  Paul addressed the 2021 Ibec Business Leaders Conference where he spoke about reimagining business models, a sustainable, inclusive economic recovery from the Covid crisis and the unique opportunity for business to lead on this agenda....

Business leadership on sustainability, with Paul Polman

This episode of Ibec Voices focuses on insights from thought leader Paul Polman, a former CEO of Unilever who went on to co-found Imagine, a social venture aimed at accelerating business leadership to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  Paul addressed the 2021 Ibec Business Leaders Conference where he spoke about reimagining business models, a sustainable, inclusive economic recovery from the Covid crisis and the unique opportunity for business to lead on this agenda....

Why Trade Agreements Matter: Ratifying CETA and the Shopify Story

Ireland’s government has a very important decision to make. CETA, a trade agreement between Canada and the EU, is currently awaiting ratification from the Oireachtas, and the clock is ticking. Many other EU member States have signed the deal, and the longer Ireland waits, the more negative the consequences.    Multilateralism has never been more important for the Irish economy and business model, particularly as the country faces the twin threats of Brexit and Covid. In this episode of Ibec ...

Why Trade Agreements Matter: Ratifying CETA and the Shopify Story

Ireland’s government has a very important decision to make. CETA, a trade agreement between Canada and the EU, is currently awaiting ratification from the Oireachtas, and the clock is ticking. Many other EU member States have signed the deal, and the longer Ireland waits, the more negative the consequences.    Multilateralism has never been more important for the Irish economy and business model, particularly as the country faces the twin threats of Brexit and Covid. In this episode of Ibec ...

Leading through Lockdown, with Kari Daniels, Tesco Ireland

Tesco is Ireland’s largest private sector employer, with 13,000 employees across the country. Kari Daniels has led the company since September 2018. However, as most CEOs will attest,  the style of leadership required for the role has evolved rapidly in recent months.   In this episode of Ibec Voices, Kari Daniels talks to Ibec’s Siobhan Masterson about leading Ireland’s largest private sector employer through a pandemic, balancing the twin roles of CEO and Mother to 13 and 11 year old boys...

Understanding ‘Zero Covid’ and why it could work

Covid strategies have two phases - the suppression and the release.   In the context of where Ireland and much of the northern hemisphere finds itself ten months into this pandemic, this episode of Ibec Voices examines Ireland’s strategy to date in its fight against Covid-19. Ireland’s National Covid Strategy proposes release through national levels 5 to 1 on activities and sectoral reopenings. The Zero Covid strategy is more zonal in release, advocating for reopening by areas that are gree...

Budget 2021: Solutions for a K-Shaped Recovery

As a country, as a society, as an economy, we’ve always risen to a challenge. The devastation COVID-19 has dealt the world will test Ireland in a way we have never experienced before. Meeting this challenge will take big ideas, brave thinking and a bold approach – all of which Ibec has brought to bear in our campaign for Budget 2021. In this episode of Ibec Voices, Ibec’s Fergal O’Brien and Gerard Brady outline the campaign’s key calls to action. We also hear from Colin Hunt, CEO of AIB a...

Budget 2021: Solutions for a K-Shaped Recovery

As a country, as a society, as an economy, we’ve always risen to a challenge. The devastation COVID-19 has dealt the world will test Ireland in a way we have never experienced before. Meeting this challenge will take big ideas, brave thinking and a bold approach – all of which Ibec has brought to bear in our campaign for Budget 2021. In this episode of Ibec Voices, Ibec’s Fergal O’Brien and Gerard Brady outline the campaign’s key calls to action. We also hear from Colin Hunt, CEO of AIB a...

Glanbia and Ireland’s Experience Economy: Food for Thought

Ireland’s Hospitality industry has evolved at an incredible pace in recent years. Traditionally associated with pubs, restaurants, and hotels, the sector has widened its reach rapidly and now includes new, valuable drivers including festivals, activity-based tourism, cultural and food experiences, and much more.   This evolution has turned hospitality into a critical cog in the Irish economy, representing over €4bn in spend, and accounting for one fifth of all private sector employment. It ...

Rebooting Ireland’s towns and cities

The recent July Stimulus package was the largest in the history of the State and is an important step in rebooting the economy. Our attention must now be on safely bringing people and vibrancy back into commercial districts, offices, towns and cities.  In this episode of Ibec Voices, Siobhan Masterson speaks with Frank Gleeson, President and CEO of Aramark Northern Europe, about the reopening of the Irish economy. A global provider of food through brands like Avoca and facilities and proper...

Sustaining SMEs

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of the Irish economy. They are the engine of employment and development across the country, forming part of the fabric of every community. But, as the sector most heavily impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown, many SMEs are facing a very uncertain future.  In this episode of Ibec Voices, we make the case for dramatic intervention by government to save these businesses. Ger Brady, Chief Economist at Ibec, drills into the economics at play, an...

Reboot and Reimagine, Musgrave Group resilience, and making Normal People

“Do whatever it takes to fix our economy, we must bring all the artillery to play” – In this episode of Ibec Voices, Fergal O’Brien and Siobhan Masterson of Ibec outline a €15bn “plan of scale” to reboot and reimagine the Irish economy. Andrew Lowe, co-founder of Element Pictures, talks about the business of Cannes Film Festival, making Normal People and the show’s role in showcasing Irish culture, and the post-COVID-19 world of film and TV production. And Noel Keeley, CEO of Musgrave Grou...

Couples that work @ home: how to survive and thrive

Right now, millions of working couples now find themselves juggling their two careers, their relationship, and for some their kids too, under one roof 24/7. In this episode of Ibec on Covid-19 we are joined by Jennifer Petriglieri, Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD and author of ‘Couples that Work: How Dual-Career Couples can Thrive in Love and Work’. Jennifer has just launched a free online video series ‘Couples that Work @ Home: The Survival Series’, designed to he...

Freezing rates, zero interest loans, cash injections – how Government can solve the business liquidity problem

Covid-19 is having a significant impact on liquidity in the economy. In this episode of Ibec on Covid-19, Fergal O’Brien, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Ibec, outlines how the government can support business at this time and ensure a faster economic recovery. Topics covered: The cashflow and liquidity issues facing businesses today; Why Ireland is falling behind internationally in the provision of liquidity supports; Freezing rates, zero interest loans, cash injections, and othe...

Mental health and wellbeing in a time of COVID-19

Dr Kara McGann, Head of Social Policy at Ibec, outlines the steps employees and employers can take to protect their mental health and wellbeing at a time of crisis. We cover: The most common causes of stress and concern; The impact of ‘fake news’ on social media; Filtering out the bad news and letting in the good; The most powerful ways you can communicate with employees; Appreciating the emerging spirit of resilience, camaraderie and care in our communities. 

Working from home and the challenges of care

Dr Kara McGann, Head of Social Policy at Ibec, has advice for employers and employees trying to balance working from home with caring for family members. We cover: The different kinds of personal circumstances that employees may be trying to cope with alongside working from home; How employers can find out who may need extra support; Creative and effective ways to facilitate employees who have caring duties, while also being fair to those who don’t; Powerful ways to communicate with your...

What the new government support package means for employers

Maeve McElwee, Director of Employer Relations at Ibec, on the recently-announced government support package and what it means for employers and their employees. Maeve also talks about: Why it is so important to stay connected with staff; Why agility and flexibility are now more valuable than ever before; Remote work - we’ve replicated the meeting room, now it’s time to replicate the water cooler; Why it is important to keep planning even in uncertain times.  

This time around, it’s humans versus virus

Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec, on the need to move quickly but carefully right now.   Topics covered: Why 2008 was a very different crisis; The danger of narrowing global supply chains in favour of self-sufficiency; Why this crisis has made Ibec’s idea of a new ‘social dialogue’ even more important; What we need to do today to make tomorrow’s bill more affordable; The challenges of choosing which businesses are ‘essential’ and which are not; Why those who don’t need to be out on the street...

This is a different crisis requiring different solutions

Siobhan Masterson and Fergal O’Brien of Ibec on the next steps required to reduce the crisis of the Covid-19 shock and to ensure as much business continuity as possible. Other points covered include: How other governments have reacted to the crisis – and what Ireland can learn from them; What percentage of of worker’s salaries must the government cover? How to keep money flowing through companies in a crisis like this; The need for ambition and big thinking;  Protecting self-employed in...

Introducing: Ibec on Covid-19

Ireland’s new government cannot go it alone

Irish Times columnist and author Fintan O’Toole joins Ibec CEO Danny McCoy for a wide-ranging discussion and analysis of Ireland’s business, societal and political landscape in the aftermath of the ground-breaking General Election 2020. With the composition of the next Government still unclear, they discuss the approaches that may be needed to deliver on the expectations of the electorate including calls for a new social dialogue and a Commission on Taxation.

Navigating the new world of work

Maeve McElwee, Director of Employer Relations at Ibec and Michael Doherty, Professor of Law, Maynooth University on parental leave, retirement age, the ‘right to disconnect’, and other challenges facing business in the new world of work. Also, Margaret Cox of the ICE Group on introducing a four-day week, and John Keaney of Siro on why a fibre network will transform Ireland. Topics covered include: The impact on businesses and employees of digitalisation, automation, and AI; Concerns about re...

Business regulation that keeps Ireland competitive

Gary McGann, Chair at Flutter plc and Sharon Higgins, Director of Member Services at Ibec discuss business regulation in Ireland and the need for reform. Also, Oliver Loomes of Diageo Ireland has four messages for the next government; and Tony Neary of Medtronic Ireland on Medtech, talent, and helping Galway to grow. Topics covered include: The impact of two-tier regulation (EU and Domestic) on Irish business; Why short-term politics is bad for long-term success; A call for the government to...

Education today for the jobs of tomorrow

Lorna FitzPatrick, President, Union of Students in Ireland; Jim Miley, Director General, Irish Universities Association; and Claire McGee, Head of Education and Innovation Policy at Ibec, discuss their vision for an education system that will underpin Ireland’s future success. Also, Alastair Blair, Country Managing Director for Accenture Ireland, on putting a love of learning ahead of the ‘arms race’ for points. Topics covered include: Universities are like small cities – let’s fund them acc...

Get Smart: Accelerating Ireland's Digital Ambition

Kieran McCorry, Microsoft Ireland; Liz McCarthy, Scale Ireland; and Erik O’Donovan, Ibec on why Ireland needs a Minister for Digital Affairs to capitalise on opportunities in AI, Cloud technology, and Cyber Security. Also, Sean Moran of Sanmina on how his son became the world’s youngest ever Mac app developer at the age of 12. Topics covered include: How Ireland can become an world leader in digital development; Why business and government are failing to grasp the big AI opportunity; The glo...

What’s good for the planet is good for the bottom line

Oisin Coghlan, Friends of the Earth; Marian Troy, SSE; and Conor Minogue, Ibec, on climate change as an election issue and the future of Ireland’s energy. Also,  Hewlett Packard Enterprise's Chief Sustainability Officer Christopher Wellise on why sustainability is great for the bottom line.    Topics covered include: Is climate change really such a big issue on the doorsteps? Why Ireland has fallen so short of its climate change commitments; How planning and funding need to support renewabl...

A ‘moonshot’ plan for regional development?

Maureen Walsh of DeCare Dental, Ibec’s Fergal O’Brien, and Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times on why Ireland urgently needs a visionary regional development plan. Also, Catherine Duffy, MD of Northern Trust, on scaling the company to 1400 staff in Limerick. Topics covered: successfully scaling business outside of Dublin; how regional development will boost quality of life both outside and inside the capital; the connectivity needed to support an all-island population of 10m in 2050; why Univers...

How to spend €11bn wisely – the big challenge for Ireland’s next government

At a time of significant external risks to the economy such as global tax reform, Brexit and de-globalisation, how can the next government spend €11 billion wisely? In this episode, Ibec’s Chief Economist Ger Brady is joined by Chief Economist at the IIEA Dan O’Brien and Assistant News Editor at The Irish Times Mary Minihan to discuss this question, along with Ibec’s call for a Commission for Taxation and how the next Government can support the growth of indigenous business. We also hear fro...

Infrastructure – A Sustainable Future

Quality national infrastructure is fundamental to national prosperity and well-being. In this episode, Ibec’s Head of Infrastructure Policy Neil Walker is joined by economist Colm McCarthy, and Strategic Planning and Advisory Director at AECOM Derval Cummins, to discuss the way forward for transport infrastructure, planning and securing our water supply. We also hear from Carolan Lennon, CEO of eir.

Making Child and Elder Care Work

Child and elder care are key General Election 2020 issues for the workforce, business and society. In this episode, Ibec Head of Social Policy Kara McGann sets out the challenges for all stakeholders. She is joined by Vodafone Ireland CEO Anne O’Leary and designer and broadcaster Brendan Courtney, who share their perspectives on the way forward for child and elder care.

Is it time for a new social dialogue?

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy and the ICTU General Secretary Patricia King discuss the possibility of developing a new social dialogue after the 2020 General Election. We also feature an interview with Dalton Philips, Chief Executive of the daa, covering connectivity, investment and planning reform. 

Introducing 'Business at the Ballot Box'

Introducing 'Business at the Ballot Box', Ibec's special General Election 2020 series.