Rté - The Business

A pilot concert took place in Liverpool last weekend. It was called the Shefton Park Pilot event. Over 5000 people without masks or social distancing sang and danced while mysterious people wandered around nearby with clipboards taking notes. Aisling Ryan of Ryan’s Cleaning was at this special gig.

This Monday we’ll see significant changes in terms of reopening. We’ll be embracing again the sounds of squeaky polished floors of galleries and museums, hushed sounds in libraries, and the dryers going full blast in the hairdressers. Liam Geraghty has been finding out what sounds you’ve been missing during this lockdown.

What about getting away from the rocketing prices in our cities? Is the solution for some to buy cheaper homes in rural areas? We’re joined by Tracy Keogh of Grow Remote.

This week put the spotlight firmly back on Ireland’s housing market with news of global property firms buying up significant chunks of housing estates. There was also talk of the new not-so-affordable affordable housing schemes. To discuss this, we’re joined by Orla Hegarty, Lecturer in the School of Architecture, Planning and Environment at UCD.

Scenes in London this week wet the appetite for a life outdoors this summer. Meath native and London-dweller, Gráinne Maguire, has had the pleasure of enjoying a city no longer in lockdown.

The pandemic has given us a true appreciation for the outdoors and public spaces. My next two guests believe there is scope in towns and cities across Ireland to reinvent our public spaces. We're joined by Roisín Murphy, Architect and presenter of RTE’s Home Rescue and architect Gráinne Shaffrey.

It was difficult to ignore all the talk surrounding Dogecoin. As the world of cryptocurrency shows no signs of slowing down is the joke on those of us who haven’t invested in any digital money? Tech Journalist Marie Boran gives the low-down on all things crypto.

With shops closed for much of the last year, the idea of swapping clothes has taken off. Some businesses are tapping into it as Liam Geraghty has been finding out.

As charity shops remain closed due to the pandemic, our guest has been bringing charity shops online in Ireland and the UK. He’s also exploring markets in Germany, Austria, Canada and the US. In his mid twenties Rónán Ó Dálaigh was elected a global shaper by the World Economic Forum, now six years later he runs Thriftify.

KBC Bank Ireland is looking at the possible sale of its performing loan assets and liabilities to Bank of Ireland. We’re joined by Brian Hayes, chief executive of Banking and Payments Federation Ireland and Charlie Weston, personal finance editor in the Irish Independent.

It’s a busy time of year for funding applications in all kinds of sectors especially in the arts. But form filling can be a complete headache and is dreaded by most. Actor and writer Sharon Mannion knows these frustrations all too well and she’s been telling us all about it.

This week the prestigious Forbes’ annual world’s billionaires list was published. The female billionaire list has more names than before including reality star Kim Kardashian West. We're joined by our own Siobhán Maguire to take a look at more female billionaires on that list.

What do the immortal jellyfish, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Fuji Film all have in common? They’ve all discovered the art of reinvention according to Aidan McCullen the author of 'Undisruptable : A Mindset of Permanent Reinvention for Individuals, Organisations and Life'.

Street money collections for charities have taken a hit during the pandemic but what about other people who depend on the street for their income? Liam Geraghty has been finding out.

Our next guest spotted a niche in the market at the start of the first lockdown. Oli Cavanagh set up Strike, a system for tipping people, when you’re not carrying any cash. It applies to hospitality but also the charity sector.

Sticking with changes in Covid regulations, on Monday we’ll see the reopening of construction but on a phased basis. Building on houses can begin again but commercial remains closed. We're joined by Michael O’Flynn, Chair and CEO of the O’Flynn Group.

The US and four European countries are back on the mandatory quarantine list. The list will be expanded from Thursday, although the inclusion of the US and Canada will depend on capacity in the system. We’re joined on the line by Ruth Andrews, Chief Executive of the Incoming Tour Operators Association.

As part of a post pandemic plan to give rural villages a new lease of life it has been suggested that pubs may be used as hubs for remote workers. So imagine typing away on a bar stool, with the packet of cheese and onion crisps and maybe even a pint within reach? It’s something that Eleanor Tiernan has been thinking about, a lot.

Pre-pandemic Paul Killoran’s company, Ex Ordo, provided software for academics around the world to help them present their papers at conferences. A very niche, but successful business. But when the pandemic hit, they were forced to rethink everything. We're joined by Paul.

The right to disconnect from work came into place this week. It’s part of a Government effort to improve work life balance for people. The Tánaiste has invited submissions around remote working. We’re joined by two people who will surely be making submissions. Employer Jerry Kennelly of Tweak.com and Tracy Keogh of Grow Remote.