With KBC and Ulster Bank having exited the Irish market, what is out there for Irish customers when it comes to loans and savings?

Could Fintech companies like Revolut and N26, along with more established companies such as An Post and our Credit Unions, prove to be viable alternatives for consumers looking to change?

Plus, are house-hunters likely to see asking prices dropping across the board over the next twelve months?

Ciaran Hancock gets some insight from Markets Correspondent Joe Brennan, Consumer Affairs Correspondent Conor Pope and Daragh Cassidy from Bonkers.ie.

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In this episode, Cork-based developer Michael O’Flynn shares his views on the new Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), which will come into effect in 2024, replacing the existing vacant site levy. The new tax aims to increase housing supply by encouraging developers to build on land owned, rather than hoarding it. While O’Flynn explains that he’s in favour of the concept, he doesn’t agree with the way it is being implemented and applied by local authorities. O’Flynn who owns 24 properties in Cork city and county, received an exemption for 12 of those sites, but must appeal the remaining dozen with An Bord Pleanála, or be faced with an annual bill of more than €2 million.

Later on, Ciaran is joined by Environment editor Kevin O’Sullivan and President of Engineers Ireland (EI) John Power to discuss their latest electrical energy review and Ireland's future energy needs.

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Despite a slowdown in the tech sector, Ireland’s corporation tax receipts are as healthy as ever. The latest exchequer returns show the Government collected €3.2 billion in the first quarter of 2023, €1.3 billion higher than in the same period last year. Eoin Burke-Kennedy and Cliff Taylor talk to Ciaran Hancock about the government's plan for the takings. 

Later, Marian Finnegan, Managing Director of Sherry Fitzgerald joins Ciaran and Eoin to talk about property prices and the outlook for the housing market. According to MyHome.ie, house prices have fallen by a modest 0.3% in the first quarter of 2023, however Sherry Fitzgerald maintains prices are still on the up. They also discuss possible routes out of the housing crisis and the lifting of eviction ban.

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The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has published a new report on Ireland's economic circumstances. Conor O'Toole, Associate Research Professor with the ESRI, joins Eoin Burke-Kennedy and Ciaran to talk about the report.

They discuss inflation, growth, the impact of inadequate housing supply and the problem of relying so heavily on a few major industrial sectors.

Plus: London correspondent Mark Paul reports on how the UK's economic situation is evolving under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.

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This week's podcast is focussed on stock market and banking news. Host Ciaran Hancock is joined by Aidan Donnelly, Head of Equities at Davy and Joe Brennan, Markets Correspondent with The Irish Times.

• It is reporting season, so news is emerging about the performance and intentions of Irish plcs. And some are indicating plans to shift their main stock market listing to the United States. Why is this happening and what does it mean for Irish operations?

• Irish banks are posting healthy figures, and Bank of Ireland has a plan to bypass the ban on bonuses. Will others follow suit?

• What can we expect from the next European Central Bank meeting - will interest rates rise again?

Inside Business is produced in association with EY Ireland.

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The deal is done between the UK and the EU to solve problems with the Northern Ireland protocol, and should it become operational, that deal means Northern Ireland will remain within the EU single market, with the added benefit of access to the UK market. So what will that mean for its economy - and what will it mean for the economy in the Republic?

Ciaran Hancock and Cliff Taylor are joined by Mark O'Connell, founder of Belfast-based consultancy OCO Global and Stephen Kelly, CEO of Manufacturing Northern Ireland to talk about the deal.

Plus: Businessman Denis O’Brien is on track to cede control of Digicel under a plan agreed with a group of bond creditors to swap $1.8 billion (€1.7 billion) of the heavily-indebted group’s borrowings for an equity stake in the business. Joe Brennan has the details.

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The government's latest package of cost of living measures includes extra cash payments to social welfare recipients and parents - but no further contributions to our energy bill payments. Does the package go far enough? And by extending - again - a more favourable VAT rate for the hospitality sector, the Government is foregoing tax revenues of €300 million. Why does the return of the rate keep getting pushed back? Ciarán talks to political reporter Jack Horgan-Jones and columnist Cliff Taylor.

Plus: We're by now sadly familiar with finance scams using texts, emails and bogus websites to defraud people. The latest method takes advantage of the growing use of digital banking services like Revolut. Consumer affairs correspondent Conor Pope explains what to watch out for.

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