Ibec Responds provides timely and up-to-date analysis and insights from Ibec experts on topical issues as they emerge.

Brought to you by Ireland's largest and most influential business lobby group.

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Ep. 30  /  Ibec Responds

Reaction to Budget 2024

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Ibec Chief Economist, Ger Brady and Executive Director of Employer Relations, Maeve McElwee sit down to discuss upcoming budget and the far-reaching impact of increasing labour costs for businesses.

Ep. 29  /  Ibec Responds

Safeguarding Ireland's competitiveness: Budget 2024

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Ibec Chief Economist, Ger Brady and Executive Director of Employer Relations, Maeve McElwee sit down to discuss upcoming budget and the far-reaching impact of increasing labour costs for businesses.

Ep. 28  /  Ibec Responds

30 Years of the EU Single Market

The European single market represents a vital component of Ireland's economy. Over the past thirty years Ireland has been able to take advantage of the free flow of goods, services, capital, and people, which has led to significant growth in the country's trade and investment.

Ep. 27  /  Ibec Responds

Climate Action: A Toolkit for Business

In this episode we hear from Ibec's Conor Minogue, Nicholas Reynolds, Sustainability Manager with O’Brien Fine Foods and Caoimhe Donnelly, Chief Sustainability Officer with CIÉ, on the new 'Climate Action: A Toolkit for Business' and their experience developing climate action strategies. 

Ep. 26  /  Ibec Responds

Talent to Thrive: EU Year of Skills

In this episode we explore the importance of lifelong learning to business and how Ibec is driving this important initiative. Nikki Gallagher, Ibec Head of Public Affairs, is joined by Claire McGee, Ibec Head of Education and Innovation Policy, and Meadhbh Costello, Ibec Social and Education Policy Executive.

Ep. 25  /  Ibec Responds

Irish Beef Sector Sustainability Report: Progress to Date and Roadmap to 2030

In this episode, Síle Sweeney, Senior Executive at Meat Industry Ireland, is joined by Philip Tallon, Operations Manager at Dawn Meats and Margaret Berry, Head of Sustainability at Kepak, to discuss sustainability in the meat sector.

Ep. 24  /  Ibec Responds

Architects and Advocates: Bertie Ahern and Alastair Campbell

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy is joined by two important architects and advocates of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement , former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Alastair Campbell, former Director of Communications for Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Ep. 23  /  Ibec Responds

Better Housing, Better Business

Ibec Executive Director of Lobbying and Influence Fergal O'Brien and Ibec Chief Economist and Head of National Policy Gerard Brady share their insights into the key findings of Ibec's new 'Better Housing, Better Business' report.

Ep. 22  /  Ibec Responds

COP27: Reflections with Minister Eamon Ryan

In the final episode of our Ibec Responds mini-series on COP27, Fergal O’Brien, Ibec Executive Director of Lobbying and Influence, sits down with Minister Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport.

Ep. 21  /  Ibec Responds

COP27: Loss and damage- a thorny issue

In this episode of our Ibec Responds mini-series on COP27, Dr Neil Walker, Ibec Head of Infrastructure, speaks with Stephen Prendiville, Head of Sustainability at EY Ireland, who is currently attending COP27.

Ep. 20  /  Ibec Responds

COP27: The EU's role in raising global ambitions

For this episode we are joined by Neil Willoughby, Ibec European Affairs Senior Executive, and Seán Kelly, Member of the European Parliament. They sit down before the MEP departs for Sharm-el-Sheikh.

Ep. 19  /  Ibec Responds

COP27: The role of cities in climate discussions

In this episode we are joined by Aidan Sweeney, Ibec Head of Enterprise and Regulatory Affairs, and Councillor Allison Gilliland, Dublin City Councillor and COP27 Delegate with the European Committee of the Region. 

Ep. 18  /  Ibec Responds

COP27: A New Hope or Groundhog Day?

In this episode we are joined by Dr Neil Walker, Ibec Head of Infrastructure, Energy and Environment, who will outline the programme for COP27 and the key areas for business.

Ep. 17  /  Ibec Responds

Economic Outlook Q3 2022: An economic reset

Ibec Chief Economist and Head of National Policy, Gerard Brady, and Ibec Economist, Hazel Ahern-Flynn give us a whistle-stop tour of the key findings of their Q3 Ibec Economic Outlook titled ‘An economic reset’.

Ep. 16  /  Ibec Responds

Budget 2023: The business reaction

Following Government's Budget 2023 announcement, Ibec Chief Economist and Head of National Policy, Gerard Brady, and Ibec Economist, Hazel Ahern-Flynn, provide timely analysis and an immediate business reaction to the key wins and areas that fall short.

Ep. 15  /  Ibec Responds

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union Address: The Irish Business reaction

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen gave her third annual State of the Union Address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on the 14th of September.

Ep. 14  /  Ibec Responds

Budget 2023: Leaning against the wind

What does a good Budget for business look like? How can Government balance current needs whilst continuing to build long-term resilience in Budget 2023? Should this be a reactionary or proactive Budget?

Ep. 13  /  Ibec Responds

Q2 2022 Economic Outlook: Turning Point

For this short episode of Ibec Voices we are joined by Ibec Chief Economist and Head of National Policy Gerard Brady and Ibec Economist Hazel Ahern-Flynn.

Ep. 12  /  Ibec Responds

Ibec Europe & Global Focus: What are the major issues impacting Irish business at the EU and global level?

Ibec’s Dr Pat Ivory, Director of EU and International Affairs, and Neil Willoughby, European Affairs Senior Executive, discuss the items covered in their Summer 2022 edition of the Ibec Europe and Global Focus.

Ep. 11  /  Ibec Responds

In conversation with Ibec CEO Danny McCoy and new BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson

For this episode of Ibec Responds we are joined by Ibec CEO Danny McCoy and BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson.

Ep. 10  /  Ibec Responds

Dublin Climate Summit 2022: In Conversation with Minister Paschal Donohoe

Live from the Dublin Climate Summit 2022, this episode of Ibec Responds features Minister Paschal Donohoe, and Jackie King, Ibec Executive Director of International Business.

Ep. 9  /  Ibec Responds

Economic Outlook Q1 2022: A difficult balancing act

For this short episode of Ibec Responds we are joined by Ibec Chief Economist and Head of National Policy Ger Brady and Ibec Economist, Hazel Ahern-Flynn.

Ep. 8  /  Ibec Responds

Economic Outlook Q4 2021: Help wanted!

For this this short episode of Ibec Responds we are joined by Ibec's Chief Economist Ger Brady and Economist Hazel Ahern-Flynn.

Ep. 7  /  Ibec Responds

COP26: Where do we go from here? Reflections with Minister Eamon Ryan

Dr Neil Walker speaks with Minister Eamon Ryan, about what was achieved at the UN climate summit in Glasgow over the previous two weeks.

Ep. 6  /  Ibec Responds

COP26: A discussion with Steve Varley, EY Global Vice Chair for Sustainability

With the second week of the conference underway our mini series with a focus on COP26 continues.

Ep. 5  /  Ibec Responds

COP26: A discussion with Steffen Engling, Adviser on EU Climate Policy at BusinessEurope: Part 3

A discussion between Dr Neil Walker Head of Infrastructure, Energy and Environment at Ibec and Steffen Engling, Adviser on EU Climate Policy at BusinessEurope.

Ep. 4  /  Ibec Responds

COP26: A discussion with Steffen Engling, Adviser on EU Climate Policy at BusinessEurope: Part 2

We pick up the discussion between Dr Neil Walker Head of Infrastructure, Energy and Environment at Ibec and Steffen Engling, Adviser on EU Climate Policy at BusinessEurope.

Ep. 3  /  Ibec Responds

COP26: A discussion with Steffen Engling, Adviser on EU Climate Policy at BusinessEurope: Part 1

We once again hear from Dr Neil Walker Head of Infrastructure, Energy and Environment at Ibec. This time Neil is joined by Steffen Engling, Adviser on EU Climate Policy at BusinessEurope.

Ep. 2  /  Ibec Responds

COP26: Great Expectations

Dr Neil Walker, Head of Infrastructure, Energy and the Environment at Ibec, covers the opening statements from the assembled world leaders on the Conference's opening days.

Ep. 1  /  Ibec Responds

COP26: When it comes to the crunch

The introductory episode of a series of episodes focusing on the proceedings at COP26, with regular updates and insights provided by Dr Neil Walker, Head of Infrastructure, Energy and the Environment at Ibec.