Ibec Podcasts

Despite some signs of softening, the Irish economy has proven resilient in the face of the uncertainty of the past year.In this episode of Ibec Responds, Ibec’s Chief Economist Gerard Brady, and Economist Mourad Mejdi, discuss the major economic events of 2025 including the areas of international trade and the labour market… and look forward to 2026, analysing how developments in geopolitics and AI that could shape the economic outlook.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.

Accessibility and inclusive leadership practises are reshaping how organisations attract, develop, and retain talent. With one in five working-age individuals living with a disability, and many others experiencing differences that may not always be visible, proactive and strategic approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential for removing barriers and creating equitable opportunities. In this episode of WorkTalks, Vicky O’Neill, Ibec’s HR Strategy Specialist, is joined by Matt Elliott, Chief People Officer at Bank of Ireland. Together, they explore how Bank of Ireland is embedding DEI across its culture and leadership, including their pioneering NeuroInclusion strategy, and examine what the future holds for DEI in Irish organisations.Ibec’s Accessibility Toolkit and Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion Assessment Tool are now live for both Ibec members and non-members.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.

At the mid-point of the EU’s ‘Digital Decade’, the Irish Presidency provides a crucial opportunity to engage with business to deliver shared digitalisation ambitions. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Erik O’Donovon, Head of Digital Economy Policy, is joined by Áine Clarke, Digital and AI Affairs Executive.  Together, they examine Ibec's latest paper “Digital and AI: Simplification, Innovation and Adoption”, discussing how the EU can maintain a competitive edge and navigate external pressures as part of our campaign on Ireland’s EU Presidency: “Making a Resilient, Competitive EU a Reality”.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.

Security and defence are central to Europe’s capacity to prosper. The geopolitical shocks of recent years have confirmed that competitiveness cannot be separated from security.In this episode of Ibec Responds, Jackie King, Executive Director of Ibec Global, is joined by Ibec CEO Danny McCoy, together they examine how security sits within a broader framework of resilience, serving as the essential foundation for long-term competitiveness.Over the coming weeks, and in advance of the Government’s public consultation on its EU Presidency priorities, Ibec will activate the campaign Making a Resilient, Competitive EU a Reality: The Business Ambition for Ireland’s EU Presidency, setting out the business priorities for Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency.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.

Europe stands at a crossroads where social ambition must align with economic reality. Following a tidal wave of new directives, businesses are now facing "legislative saturation," prompting a call to shift focus from creating new laws to ensuring competitiveness and practical implementation.In this episode of Ibec Responds, Dr. Kara McGann, Head of Skills and Social Policy, is joined by Tom Hayes, Executive Director of BEERG. Together, they examine Ibec's latest paper on the Labour Market and Social Policy, discussing the need for pragmatism in Brussels and the future of social dialogue, as part of our campaign on Ireland’s EU Presidency: “Making a Resilient, Competitive EU a Reality”.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.