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This week, Ibec International Focus was launched by our team in Brussels. For EU policymakers and Ibec members, this tri-annual publication offers insight-led positioning on EU and international policy from a cross-sectoral Irish business perspective. Ibec International Focus includes insights and analysis from across the organisation in Ibec’s policy division, and from sectoral associations. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Alan Sherlock, External Affairs manager at Ibec is joined by Neil Willoughby, Head of International and EU Policy at Ibec, and Róisín de Bhaldraithe, Senior EU Policy Executive at Ibec, to discuss the launch of Ibec International Focus. Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode, Maeve McElwee, Executive Director, Employer Relations and Fiona Higgins, Head of Advocacy Services, explore the findings of our latest Talent, Trends, and Pay Survey examining wage expectations for 2027, impacts of the newly introduced pension auto-enrolment legislation, pay transparency preparations, and other effects of new and existing policy and permissions on business. This year’s findings reflect a landscape of stabilisation and resilient employment. Against a steady economic background, headcount projections are levelling out. Meanwhile, where headcount reductions are expected, the severity of these contractions has softened significantly. This suggests that while recruitment is becoming more targeted, retention remains a core priority for organisations seeking to preserve stability. Additionally, a significant area of focus this year is the shifting landscape of occupational pensions, driven by the introduction of pension auto-enrolment, and preparation for Pay Transparency.    Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

Budget 2027 reflects the country’s broader economic and social intent, displaying a strong commitment to meeting the challenges of our workforce transition head-on. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Gerard Brady, Chief Economist, Hazel Ahern-Flynn, Senior Economist, and Mourad Mejdi, Economist give their reaction and analysis of Budget 2027. They discuss key measures including the unlocking of €360 million from the National Training Fund, the expansion of R&D tax credit criteria and outsourcing limits, and the capital gains tax rate cut from 33% to 31%. Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Neil Willoughby speaks with Bobby McDonagh, former senior Irish diplomat including as Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the EU and prominent commentator on Anglo-Irish and European affairs. Bobby joined the Irish diplomatic service in 1977, building a distinguished career as Permanent Representative to the EU, Ambassador to the UK and Italy, and Director General of Foreign Affairs’ EU division. Having also served in the European Parliament Secretariat and two Commissioner cabinets, he offers expert insights into Ireland’s EU Presidency and the future of Europe. Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Alan Sherlock, External Affairs Manager is joined by Neil Willoughby, Head of EU and International Policy, to discuss Ireland’s six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU. They explore how Ireland can leverage this pivotal moment to drive economic growth and highlight key insights into Ibec’s strategic EU activity.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Alan Sherlock, External Affairs Manager at Ibec, speaks with incoming Ibec President, Maureen Walsh. As Managing Director of DeCare Dental Ireland, Maureen takes on this prestigious role representing the largest business representative group.  This conversation takes place just before she addresses over 800 enterprise leaders, policymakers, and guests at the Ibec President’s Dinner.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode, Harry Wall and Catriona McKeating, Associate Legal Directors in our Employment Law Services team, return to discuss equal pay case law, this time focusing on work of equal value and gender neutral reasons for differences in pay.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

Ella Kearns, Executive, BiopharmaChem Ireland speaks with Paul McCabe, Group Chief Operating Officer of APC & VLE Therapeutics. They discuss BioPharmaChem Ireland’s new strategy, 'Together, for others,’ which aims to support and scale our indigenous biopharmachem ecosystem. Ireland's FDI manufacturing model is already world-class. But global biotech hubs show us that true resilience requires a dual engine, pairing global manufacturing giants with a thriving homegrown sector. It’s not about competing with FDI, it’s about complementing it, making Ireland a far stickier destination for future investment. Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode, Financial Services Ireland (FSI) Director Patricia Callan speaks with members of FSI’s Savings & Investment Account Taskforce, Eoin Fitzgerald, Taskforce chair and Country Head for Brown Brothers Harriman, and James Costello, Head of Portfolio Management Group at Davy.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of Ibec Responds, @Alan Sherlock, External Affairs Manager, sits down with @Gerard Brady, Head of National Policy and Chief Economist and @Hazel Ahern-Flynn, Senior Economist to discuss the key findings from our latest Economic Outlook report [link].  We are currently navigating a period of intense global volatility. From the dramatic "whiplash" trade effects driven by anticipated US tariffs to the staggering rise of AI-enabling goods, our economic landscape is shifting rapidly. Meanwhile, Irish businesses are feeling the pinch of a cooling domestic labour market and rising operational costs.  Alan, Ger and Hazel also use this moment to reiterate our call for the deployment of the National Training Fund. Unlocking this fund is essential to support the workforce transition, prepare our people for the future of work, and firmly establish Ireland as a frontrunner in the emerging global economy.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of WorkTalks, Vicky O’Neill, Ibec’s HR Strategy Specialist, is joined by Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig, Founder and CEO of SkillStack. Together, they explore the current upskilling paradox and discuss how organisations can bridge the gap between acknowledging the importance of L&D and executing a robust learning strategy. Robert shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, the power of storytelling in leadership development, and how HR leaders can effectively measure the true business value of modern learning interventions. Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of Ibec Reponds, Alan Sherlock, External Affairs Manager, and Sharon Higgins, Executive Director of Membership and Sectors, discuss the launch Ibec’s 2026 Founders Report, From Vision to Venture. Together, they look closely at the complex hurdles today's business leaders face, from managing work-life balance and navigating regulatory compliance to closing critical tech knowledge gaps. Alan and Sharon break down the strategic steps needed to support Irish enterprise, focusing on three core advocacy and operational pillars: Innovation and AI AccelerationBridging the Capital and Scaling GapsUnlocking Talent and Skills Infrastructure Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

Ahead of the commencement of the Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Act 2025 on 29 June, Nichola Harkin, Head Of Employment Law Services, and Aoife McFadden, Legal Director, discuss the upcoming changes to contractual retirement ages and how businesses can best prepare for this.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of our Courageous Leaders, Ibec Head of Skills and Social Policy Kara McGann is joined by Dr. Mamobo Ogoro, social psychologist and Founder and CEO of GORM.  With a background hosting 'Younified' on Newstalk and as the first Irish person to win the Echoing Green Fellowship, Dr. Ogoro brings a unique vantage point on navigating multiple identities and building positive intergroup connections. Mamobo shares her thoughts on the science behind how positive intergroup interactions reduce prejudice and why business leaders have a unique role to play in modelling inclusive leadership and designing true cultures of belonging.  Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.

In this episode of Ibec Responds, Gerard Brady, Chief Economist is joined by Hazel Ahern-Flynn, Senior Economist, and Mourad Mejdi, Economist, as they unpack Ibec’s latest Budget 2027 campaign – Building a Resilient Economy. This year’s submission highlights an economic reality: Budget 2027 must balance immediate energy-driven volatility with long-term, structural transitions. Ireland is currently facing a technological and economic shift, and to thrive we must position ourselves as leading early adopters. Gerard, Hazel, and Mourad break down the strategic steps needed to achieve this, focusing on our three critical pillars: Rewiring our Approach to TalentDriving Growth, Innovation, and AI PreparednessNavigating the Energy & Inflation Shock Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here.  Make sure to follow Ibec Podcasts to stay up to date with new episodes.