The Bottom Line on KCLR

 Last week the IMF urged Ireland to increase taxes while this week a report by the ESRI suggests that broad based tax increases from the Irish Government may be needed to fund future public spending. Economist Jim Power joined John to share his thoughts on how this will impact consumers as well as businesses. Jim also discusses Brexit, which despite not being discussed much in the first five month...

In a week that will have been a busy one for some businesses who reopened their doors for the first time since December, John Purcell spoke with Tánaiste & Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar about reopening business and the continuation of business supports, the continuing challenges facing the hospitality and tourism industries, paying the Government’s Covid bills and...

In a week that will have been a busy one for some businesses who reopened their doors for the first time since December, John Purcell spoke with Tánaiste & Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar about reopening business and the continuation of business supports, the continuing challenges facing the hospitality and tourism industries, paying the Government’s Covid bills and...

Twenty Questions is our feature piece on getting to know the people behind the businesses and organisations within our communities and this month our guest was Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office in Kilkenny. 

Prior to reopening of businesses  in early May,  Norah Casey joined John to chat about lockdowns - how they have been managed and their impact on SME's across the Country.  She discussed what was then the early stages of a roadmap to re-opening and how she feels about the future for business.

In early May, Simon O'Dwyer, Managing Director of Kilkenny based brand and communications agency Three Sixty joined John to chat about how the last number of months had been for his organisation and shared his thoughts on how the pandemic may impact the future of how we work. The news regarding the closure of the Smithwick's Experience had been announced and Simon spoke with John about the impact...

Simon O'Dwyer, Managing Director of Kilkenny based brand and communications agency Three Sixty joined John to chat about the last number of months and how the pandemic may impact the future of how we work. Simon also spoke with John about the news from during the week that the Smithwick's Experience is to close. A number of weeks ago, we featured an extract of an interview with publisher, entrepre...

The big news of the week was the Government announcement regarding the new public health measures and the plans for the phased reopening over the coming weeks and months.  Samantha McCaughren, Business Editor of the Sunday Independent joined John to discuss what the changes are and what it means for business across the different sectors. After months of lockdown, many businesses will now be prepar...

We first spoke to our three guests over a year ago, in the early days of the pandemic as businesses began to face into what was to be the new reality of trying to operate during lockdowns.  One year on we caught up with Ken Byrne of RedSky Europe, Bridget Kearney of Belle Femme Lingerie and Joe Sheridan of Sheridan Stained Glass to hear what their experiences of the past year have been

Over the coming weeks many businesses will slowly begin to emerge from the lockdown that they have been in since late December 2020, John Purcell spoke with accountant Alan Seery of O'Neill Foley Accountants to chat through what he sees as some of the main challenges that may face those businesses that have been badly impacted by Covid-19 restrictions.

Eamon Quinn, Business Editor at the Irish Examiner spoke with John about the global minimum tax rate that has been proposed by the US and the potential implications for the Irish Economy. Security Risk Advisors is a US headquartered IT and Tech security company that in 2019 established its European Headquarters in Kilkenny. Claire McInerney Brown recently caught up with Lar Conroy, Senior Operatio...

After over a year of remote working and revolutionary changes in work practices, John spoke with Mary Cullen Founder and Manging Director of Insight HR to discuss what have been the pros and cons, the risks and opportunities for employers and employees and also to understand what are some of the challenges that we may face with a return to the office.    

The Parlour Castlecomer which offers luxurious handmade gelato opened its doors to the public at the beginning of April, and Majella Dempsey joined John to tell her story of how she went from a career in midwifery to opening an ice cream shop in Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny.  

Over the last year parcel delivery and distribution has experienced amazing growth due to the enforced move to online caused by protracted lockdowns and Des Travers Chief Executive of DPD Ireland joined John to discuss how the organisation adapted throughout the pandemic.  

In mid April,  Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin and Fáilte Ireland announced funding of €19 million for the development of new outdoor water based facilities across 22 locations nationwide. Kilkenny Water Sports Hub is to be developed under this scheme and Fiona Monaghan Head of Activities at Fáilte Ireland spoke with John about what this means for this area and how tourism products need to a...

Tom Molloy, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at Trinity College Dublin spoke with John about the business stories making the news this week. They chat through the news around the banking sector, economic growth, stimulus packages and lots more. DPD is one of the largest companies in the parcel delivery and distribution business with its vans and driver’s familiar sights all over the c...

"Twenty Questions" our feature which gives you the chance to get the know the individuals behind the businesses and organisations within our communities across the two counties is back again this month, and our second guest was Mag Kirwan of Goatsbridge Trout Farm.

Economist Jim Power chats to John Purcell about the World Economic Outlook which was recently released by the International Monetary Fund and provides some insights for the upward revision. Jim shares his thoughts on the management of Covid-19 in Ireland, the idea of a risk based assessment approach to lockdowns and what more could have been done for the business community.  Looking to the future,...

Economist Jim Power joined John to discuss some of the big issues facing businesses and the economy at the moment, they also discuss the forecasts for the World Economy that were released by the International Monetary Fund during the week.   Sonya Lennon, Co-Founder of LIFT Ireland spoke with John about The Better Leadership Forum, an event series aimed at exploring leadership in the media, politi...

Austin Hughes, Chief Economist at KBC Bank Ireland joined John to discuss consumer confidence at the end of the first very challenging quarter of this year. Austin also shares his insights into what lies ahead over the next weeks and months for the economy and the country as we begin to emerge from Covid. 

Paul Keeley, Director of Regional Development at Fáilte Ireland spoke with John about the Tourism & Hospitality Sector and the continuing challenges the sector faces during the pandemic. Paul also discusses the €17 million Outdoor Dining Enhancement scheme which was recently announced by Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin along with Fáilte Ireland.

Austin Hughes, Chief Economist at KBC Bank Ireland joined John to discuss consumer confidence at the end of the first very challenging quarter of this year. Austin also shares his insights into what lies ahead over the next weeks and months for the economy and the country as we begin to emerge from Covid.    Retail Excellence Ireland represents over 2,000 of Irelands leading retailers, Duncan Grah...

It has been a momentous few weeks for Ballykeefe Distillery with the release of their first ever whiskey, the culmination of a dream that began over 25 years ago. John spoke with Morgan Ging, the entrepreneur behind the business.

With fraud an ever present threat and payment redirection fraud in particular continuing to cost local business, John spoke with Paul O Brien from Bank of Ireland Group Security about their recent research as well as tips and advice on protecting your business from fraud.

Tommy Hickson of Hickson’s Supervalu in Tullow spoke with John about what working through the pandemic has been like, what have been the biggest issues and what can we learn for re-opening businesses.