Thursday's business news headlines along with Joe Lynam.

Eir aka Eircom aka Telecom Eireann back in the days when it took months to get a telephone line installed, is now in fully private and very French hands and has just published a report into the company’s Economic and social impact. It says its broadband is set to reach 84% of Irish households narrowing the gap. between the digital ‘haves’ and 'have-nots’. 

But Ireland is still the 3rd most expensive nation in the EU for broadband. Joe discuss this and more with Oliver Loomes the Chief Executive of Eir.

A conglomerate is a holding company which owns many disparate businesses often unrelated.  DCC is Ireland’s biggest but it’s set to cease being one as it’s now said that it will divest itself of its healthcare and technology divisions and focus exclusively on Energy and make a real push on renewable and low carbon fuels. 

It’s a big move and one that was cheered by the markets yesterday when shares jumped 14% in a single day. Donal Murphy Chief Executive of DCC Plc joined Joe on the show this morning.

Joe Lynam takes a run through of some of the main business news headlines this morning.

If you ever wondered where the name Maxol came from, well it was set up by the McMullan family 104 years ago.  The fuels and retail chain is still in family hands and it has just published its annual results for last year showing a profit of €27m on a turnover of €756m.

Maxol rolled out its first Ultra Rapid EV Hub in Newbridge this year and it’s retrofitting nearly all of its stores which are run by franchisees. Speaking to Joe this morning was Brian Donaldson the Chief Executive of Maxol. 

There are quite a few family-owned or run companies in the hospitality sector who are worried about rising costs including minimum wages, energy and misc employment costs.  Over the weekend Fine Gael said it would cut VAT in that sector to 11% and yesterday Fianna Fail promised to cut PRSI if they get back in. 

To discuss what family run companies want from a new government Joe spoke to John McGrane the Executive Director of the Family Business Network.

Unemployment remains at near record lows and has done so for 2 years.  It means that in a fully functioning economy, employees rather than employers hold the whip hand in pay and conditions talks.  But do they really? 

Who is looking for jobs here and what types of jobs are they looking for? Joe asked Jack Kennedy is Senior Economist with the recruitment website Indeed.

Tuesday's business headlines along with Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam.

Monday's business news headlines review with Joe Lynam and Kathleen brooks from XTB.

Those of you renewing your car insurance will have certainly noticed that premiums have been going up appreciably despite nothing changing in your own circumstances. That's because the cost of car repairs and the vehicles themselves have soared in value. 

The cost to your business of a cyber attack is also soaring and new research says that fewer than 10% of SMEs have cyber cover.  Joining Joe to talk about all things insurance is Damian Smith from Campion Insurance Brokers. 

There was a time not long ago when Hydrogen was seen as the great and cheap hope for renewable energy.  A fuel that is bountiful and emits only water.  But the  S&P Kensho Hydrogen Economy Index which measures companies that focus on Hydrogen fell to an all time low over the summer amid fears of a recession. 

Will things might get even worse for those in the Hydrogen space? Joe asked Paul McCormack the Chief Executive of Hydrogen Ireland.