Sharon Higgins, Executive Director for Membership and Sectors, Ibec, is joined Aileesh Carew, CEO of EPIC – the Irish Emigration Museum, to explore the museum and visitor attraction sector’s role in Ireland’s Experience Economy, its economic contribution, and examine how Government can support this sub-sector of the Irish economy. Learn more about …

Talent Intelligence is the tool that is empowering HR and Business leaders to make more informed strategic decisions on their workforce planning and talent management. Irelands economy has performed remarkably well, despite the challenges we have faced over the last few years. This has positively impacted our lives, leading to new career and develo…

With the upcoming Local Elections around the corner on 7 June, 2024. We delve into the issues that voters should keep in mind when casting their ballot, while also taking a closer look at how local government functions and what potential reform could look like. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Aidan Sweeney, Head of Infrastructure and Environmenta…

With polling day fast approaching on June 7th, Pat Ivory, Ibec’s Director of EU and International Affairs meets with Fionnuala Croker, the Acting Head of Office at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland. Together, they take a retrospective look at previous elections, analysing voter turnout in Ireland compared to other European states, a…

With the European Parliament elections fast approaching on 7 June 2024, the context in which they are taking place is a critical period for Ireland and Europe. The EU is central to Ireland’s future success, and the elections are an opportunity for citizens to help shape that future. It is an opportunity to put strong Irish voices into one of Europe…

In this episode of Ibec Responds, we delve into the dynamic world of global economics, where interest rates reign supreme. From influencing spending habits to shaping investment decisions, interest rates play a pivotal role in driving economic activity. Join Executive Director, Ibec Global, Jackie King and Ibec CEO Danny McCoy, as we explore the un…

2024 is a critical year for Ireland and Europe. A year of transition as landmark EU green, digital and social legislation enters into force. A year of implementation as the EU seeks to strengthen competitiveness without lessening ambition. The EU is central to our future success. The 2024 European Parliament elections are an opportunity to help sha…

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Sharon Higgins, Executive Director for Membership and Sectors in Ibec and Pat McCann, Chair of Ibec’s Experience Economy Policy Committee and formally CEO of Dalata Hotel Group, discuss our recent 'Experience Economy - More than meets the Eye' report and discuss the local, regional and national importance of the Ex…

In this episode, Ger Brady, Chief Economist at Ibec, discusses key findings from our 2024 Q1 Economic Outlook report with Ibec Economists, Hazel Ahern-Flynn and Mourad Mejdi. The Irish economy is still performing robustly, despite rising inflation and higher interest rates. This can be best seen in the fact that the economy added 90,000 jobs in the…

In recent years, Ireland has emerged as a dynamic hub for technology, characterized by rapid innovation, robust infrastructure, and a vibrant ecosystem of startups and multinational corporations. With a rich history steeped in technological advancement, Ireland has continually embraced cutting-edge technologies, driving forward its economic growth …

Entitlements to Public Holidays are governed by The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and the method for calculating payment for Public Holidays is covered by Statutory Instrument No 475 of 1997. In this podcast, Linda Reid, Senior Employer Relations Executive and Lorraine Parkes Senior Employer Relations Team Lead, discuss entitlements when a …

There is a need for a fundamental change in how we value care and caregivers. For too long, care work has been invisible work and as such often undervalued. There is no centralised source of data on the breadth of actors in the care sector and more information is required to better plan for Ireland’s future healthcare needs. In this episode of Ibec…

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was signed into law in April of 2023 and introduced various new entitlements, however two elements of this legislation required the drafting of a Code of Practice before the legislation could commence. This Code of Practice has now been published. In this episode, Linda Reid, Senior Employ…

Ireland’s State airports play a vital role in underpinning economic prosperity and regional development. However, they recognise the need to reduce their carbon footprints substantially over the coming decade, while helping their client airlines to do likewise. As major employers with extensive land holdings, they also have environmental responsibi…

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Jackie King, Executive Director of Ibec Global, highlights the significance of the new European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) with Artie McConnell, Assistant United States Attorney and Deputy Chief of the National Security and Cybercrime Section at the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern Distri…

With recent aggressive events taking place in Dublin city, Michael Gillen and Bernie McMeel from Ibec discuss how employers can deal with their responsibilities regarding the health and safety of their employees in these circumstances. In this episode Michael and Bernie will be Looking at the legal requirements pertaining to health and safety of em…

For this episode of Ibec Responds, we are joined by Ibec's own Fergal O'Brien, Executive Director of Lobbying and Influence, and Gerard Brady, Chief Economist. They discuss the key findings from our 2023 Q4 Economic Outlook. With the economy now entering a period of slowdown and consolidation, Government decisions on labour costs are now a major co…

The UN’s 28th annual global climate talks (COP28) are firmly underway in Dubai and expectations are running high that a significant breakthrough could be delivered in the coming days. The national statements and ceremonial events with global leaders have largely concluded and the focus now sharply turns to the negotiations themselves. While there i…

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was signed into law in April of this year and introduces various new entitlements for employees, one of which includes domestic violence leave, which will commence on 27 November. In this podcast, Pauline O’Hare, Senior Employment Law Manager and Aoife McFadden, Senior Employment Law Solic…

In this episode of KC Connect, Ibec experts Muireann McEnery and Ciar Murtagh discuss two recent Labour Court decisions dealing with claims of discrimination on the grounds of age by individuals who wished to remain in employment past their normal retirement age. In both of these cases, the Employers were successful and they provide interesting tak…

In this podcast, Fiona Higgins and Stephen Driver discuss the findings of this year’s HR update survey including key insights into pay and resourcing as well as trends relating to HR priorities and investments, learning and development, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DE&I), Hybrid and flexible working, ESG and Wellbei…

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Ibec economists, Ger Brady and Hazel Ahern-Flynn sit down to discuss their reaction to this year's budget which showed ambition in terms of investment and establishment of schemes for SME's and startups. Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here. Make sure to follow Ibec Podcast…

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. By 2026 Government plans to replace the national minimum wage with a new, higher living wage. This will be set at 60%…

The autumn season is often a busy time of year from an employee relations and employment law perspective, and we expect 2023 to be no different. In this podcast, Linda Reid, Senior Employer Relations Executive and Briana Duffy, Employer Relations Executive, provide listeners with an update on any legislative developments we expect to see over the A…

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. The single market has provided Irish businesses with access to a market …

Ireland has a long and tradition of storytelling, from captivating mythology to heartfelt recounting of daily life to tales that impart lessons or foster a sense of community or historical understanding. These fascinating stories pique interest, broaden horizons, and encourage us to learn about and experience the world outside our own. They told in…

The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was signed into law in April of this year and introduces various new entitlements for employees. In this podcast, Linda Reid, Senior Employer Relations Executive and Nichola Harkin, Head of Employment Law Services, provide listeners with a practical view of the new rules relating to breast…

For businesses, climate action is no longer simply a question of environmental compliance and corporate responsibility. Today it is a matter of business value and competitiveness. Businesses that do not address their climate impacts will increasingly get left behind by consumers, investors, and talent. Most businesses recognise these imperatives bu…

Internationally, Ireland’s education system has an enviable reputation due to high participation in higher education and the collaborative nature of the system in the development of a graduate talent stream. Talented people, the availability of key skills, and the ability to connect easily with universities are real positive features of Ireland’s c…

Finding and sustaining work is a challenge for many people with disabilities, and often conversations around disabilities come from a place of reasonable accommodation rather than capturing the talent and innovation that many people with disabilities bring to their work. People with disabilities make up 13.5% of the population in Ireland, yet only …

2023 is the European Year of Skills, which aims to address skills shortages in the European Union and boost the EU skills strategy. In this episode of Ibec Responds 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, Ib…

Better health and the subsequent increase in life expectancy has created a demographic where people are seeking to work longer. Following the publication of the Report of the Commission on Pensions and the Oireachtas Joint response, Government announced in September 2022 a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system in Ireland. On the 10…

Meat Industry Ireland, the Ibec sector association representing the primary beef, pork and lamb processing facilities located in the Republic of Ireland, launched the Irish Beef Sector Sustainability report in February. The report outlines the progress the industry has made to date in reducing GHG emissions and delineating the roadmap to further em…

The European Union (Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions) Regulations, S.I. No. 686/2022 were signed into law on 16 December 2022. The Regulations amend existing legislation concerning contracts of employment and introduce new obligations in relation to probation and parallel employment. In this episode of KC Connect, Ibec solicitors Catr…

Our past few episodes of Ibec Voices placed a focus on a critical component of the Irish economy, the small business community. We visited the Small Firms Association Strategic Management Masterclass in Athlone to sit down with SFA National Small Business Awards Finalists and hear their stories. This two-day programme is offered as part of the priz…

Our next few episodes of Ibec Voices will place a focus on a critical component of the Irish economy, the small business community. We visited the Small Firms Association Strategic Management Masterclass in Athlone to sit down with SFA National Small Business Awards Finalists and hear their stories. This two day programme is offered as part of the …

In this episode of KC Connect, Ibec experts Aisling McDevitt and Kevin Feighery discuss the transposition of the EU Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working conditions into Irish law as it relates to probationary periods, and the role of fair procedures in the context of the Industrial Relations Acts. The discussion will include the current…

Our next few episodes of Ibec Voices will place a focus on a critical component of the Irish economy, the small business community. We visited the Small Firms Association Strategic Management Masterclass in Athlone to sit down with SFA National Small Business Awards Finalists and hear their stories. This two day programme is offered as part of the …

Ibec is marking the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement with a new campaign, For Peace + Prosperity. The campaign illustrates the pivotal role that business has played in perpetuating peace and prosperity on the island. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Ibec CEO Danny McCoy is joined by two important architects and …

The Experience Economy is a diverse and substantial part of Irish life and plays an important role in Ireland’s international reputation as a place to live, work and visit. In this episode we will discuss the scale of Ireland's Experience Economy, Ibec’s ambitions for its growth, and recommendations to Government for further support. We are joined …

With global pandemics, climate change and military aggression against Ukraine, we see unprecedented generational challenges to our economy and well-being. A core element in responding to these challenges involves technological change, how we interact with that change and with each other. In this episode of Ibec Voices we are joined by Jackie King, …

An inadequate supply of affordable housing is the greatest impediment to attracting and retaining talented workers, without whom business investment and expansions are not possible. In this episode of Ibec Responds we are joined by Ibec Executive Director of Lobbying and Influence Fergal O'Brien and Ibec Chief Economist and Head of National Policy …

This year has seen a vast array of proposed new employment legislation, along with the requirement to transpose EU Directives into local legislation, with many employers waiting for clarity on dates of commencement of these Acts. In this episode of KC Connect, Ibec experts Aoife McFadden and Linda Reid appraise employers of these pieces of legislat…

Ireland has made some real progress on gender equality over the last number of decades. We’ve seen significant changes in both the personal and professional lives of women. However, since the #MeToo movement, and throughout the pandemic, a real spotlight has been shone on how fragile some of that hard won progress is. In this Ibec Voices episode we…

In this episode of KC Connect, Ibec experts Stephen Driver and Fiona Higgins discuss the pay and HR trends emerging from the recently published HR Update report. Addressing issues relating to pay forecasting for 2023 and HR priorities, the report expresses the views of 329 Senior HR leaders employing over 143,000 of the Irish workforce. Read the re…

Gender equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of progressive societies. While female representation in the general population of financial services firms tends to be equally balanced, significant differences emerge in the progression to more senior levels. Ireland’s Women in Finance Charter is an industry-led, Government-supported meas…

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. They reflect on COP27, and discuss what it means in terms of our progress in relation to climate, …

We were delighted to have David Collings, Professor of Human Resource Management at DCU, as a guest speaker at Ibec's HR Leadership Summit in October. The impactful research he and his colleagues have conducted into the lessons from the HR response to Covid-19 spotlights many lessons that will continue to resonate as we manage through the current e…

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. They discuss financial liability for loss and damage, proving to be a highly controversial issue in this year’s negotiations. They also highl…

Observers say that within a matter of years, 100 per cent of investments will consider ESG risks and opportunities. Business leaders around the globe are tackling how to integrate meaningful economic, social and governance frameworks into their organisations' strategy. As further attention is placed on this expanded set of criteria, no business can…