Following the release of our 2025 HR Update Report, Fiona Higgins, Head of Knowledge Centre and Stephen Driver, Head of Advocacy, provide an overview of the key findings in relation to HR priorities going into 2026. Our 2025 HR Update Report can be downloaded here. 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 2026 puts focus driving innovation, protecting, and creating jobs, and increasing investment in critical infrastructure. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Ger Brady, Chief Economist, and Mourad Mejdi, Economist, give their reaction and analysis to Budget 2026, detail key measures, and discuss the impact of Budget 2026 on Irish business. Find out more: https://www.ibec.ie/budget2026 Thank you for listening. To explore all of Ibec's podcast offering, visit here. Make sure to follow Ibec...

The Irish economy has again proven resilient in the face of challenge over the first three quarters of 2025. Investment and consumer demand in particular have held up despite enormous uncertainty about the global trading environment. Ireland’s economy is still benefitting from the remarkable momentum it had built over the last number of years. However there are challenges ahead, driven by a slowing global economic environment and more geopolitical and market volatility. In this episode, Ger B...

The recent publication of the Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity is a positive and important step in future-proofing Ireland’s economic model in a time of global change. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Gerard Brady, Chief Economist, and Fergal O’Brien, Executive Director of Lobbying and Influence, examine the detail of the Action Plan, the strong alignment between elements of the plan and Ibec’s “Our Business Ambition” campaign which was launched this past May, the...

In the second episode of our Preparing for Pay Transparency series, Nichola Harkin, Head of Employment Law Services, and Kara McGann, Head of Skills and Social Policy, discuss the policy background and context for the Pay Transparency Directive. As employer’s prepare for the introduction of the Directive, the two discuss the intention behind the legislation and Ibec’s key priorities for the Irish government and the EU in ensuring that businesses are given the proper resources to meet th...

Hybrid and remote working has transformed the workplace. With companies still working to cultivate the optimum blend of technology enabled, and in-person collaboration that is crucial to success. In this episode of Ibec WorkTalks, Fiona Higgins, Head of Knowledge Centre in Ibec, and Dr. Tatiana Andreeva from Maynooth University explore the hidden dynamics of hybrid work. Drawing on Tatiana’s latest research on hybrid workplaces, they discuss the realities of knowledge sharing in distributed t...

The upcoming BioPharmaChem Ireland Budget 2026 submission places skills and innovation at its core, emphasising the need for public investment and strategic collaboration across the ecosystem to unlock the sector’s full potential. In the latest episode of Ibec Responds, Dr. Sinead Keogh, Director of Biopharmachem Ireland and Head of Ibec Sectors, is in conversation with Darrin Morrissey, CEO of NIBRT. Together, they discuss how the institute is helping to realise Ireland’s ambition in cell an...

Ireland’s pharmaceutical research model took a bold but necessary leap with the creation of SSPC, The Research Ireland Centre for Pharmaceuticals. SSPC is a world-leading hub of innovation supporting the bio-pharmaceutical industry. In the latest episode of Ibec Responds, Dr Sinead Keogh, Director of BioPharmaChem Ireland and Ibec Head of Sectors, is joined by Jamie Guidera, interim COO at SSPC. Together, they explore the centre’s academic foundations, its powerful industry network, an...

Ireland is behind the curve in the adoption of artificial intelligence, with many business leaders feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about where to start —Yet this presents an unparalleled opportunity for HR to take the lead in driving impactful AI integration across organisations. In this episode of Ibec WorkTalks, Vicky O'Neill, HR Strategy Specialist at Ibec, is joined by Stephanie Prenderville, AI Expert and Global Change Leader, to explore a fresh, human-centric and practical approach to...

The Experience Economy consists of businesses and organisations that create immersive, memorable experiences for people, in addition to selling goods and services. It spans the arts, cultural, sporting and heritage sectors, as well as hospitality, retail, travel, tourism, entertainment, and events and the supply chain that supports them. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Aviné McNally, Head of Membership, Ibec, is joined by Catherine Toolan, Managing Director, Diageo Irish Brand Homes, home o...

In this episode of KC Connect, Neil O'Brien, Senior Employer Relations and Communications Executive, and Antoinette Cunningham, Employer Relations Executive, discuss the options for employers in carrying out criminal background checks in Ireland, and how they should approach a situation where an employee declares a criminal conviction. 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 today’s competitive business landscape, creating an inclusive workplace is not just a matter of compliance—it’s a strategic advantage. Organisations that embrace diversity and inclusion are tapping into a rich pool of talent, driving innovation, improving retention, and boosting profitability. However, despite these benefits, Ireland’s employment rate for people with disabilities remains worryingly low at just 32.6%, significantly below the EU average of 51.3%. In this episode, Síofra Mac ...

In a competitive job market, employee recognition is more crucial than ever. Organisations that prioritise recognition not only boost morale but also enhance retention rates and overall productivity. In this episode of Ibec WorkTalks, Vicky O'Neill, HR Strategy Specialist, is joined by Niamh Graham, Senior Vice President, Global Human Experience at Workhuman. Together, they examine a strategic approach to employee recognition, the link between retention and recognition and share best pr...

With the global economy entering a period of uncertainty, it is clear that the economic model Ireland had relied on for the past 50 years is under significant strain. However, while the immediacy of current global challenges is undeniable, we must not lose sight of the opportunities ahead. As we look forward to Budget 2026, we must now commit to investing in our agility and prioritising the tools which make Ireland a place which can innovate, adopt new technology, deliver infrastructur...

In this episode of KC Connect, Sophie Crosbie and Mairead Crosby, Ibec Regional Directors for the South and South East, discuss how business is managing change in the workplace and exploring emerging trends. They examine how organisations are dealing with the increased pace of change due to productivity improvements driven by automation, digitalisation & AI, changes to working patterns, cost pressures to stay competitive, talent shortages and increased regulatory requirements. Changes to ...

In advance of the publication of the Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, Ibec has activated Our Business Ambition campaign, consisting of a series of policy papers to provide clear and actionable answers to how we should forge ahead; by rekindling our ability to deliver projects, to be agile, and to compete. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Gerard Brady, Chief Economist, is joined by Erik O’Donovan, Head of Digital Economy Policy, and Áine Clarke, Digital and AI Aff...

In this episode, Keevagh Heverin, Mid West Regional Director, and Emily Maverley, Senior Employer Relations Executive, discuss employer obligations under the Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Act 2022 and a recent case taken under this legislation. 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 advance of the publication of the Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, Ibec has activated 'Our business ambition' campaign, consisting of a series of policy papers to provide clear and actionable answers to how we should forge ahead; by rekindling our ability to deliver projects, to be agile, and to compete. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Gerard Brady, Chief Economist, is joined by Conor Minogue, Senior Executive for Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Policy...

Over the coming weeks, and in advance of the publication of the Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, Ibec will activate Our Business Ambition campaign, consisting of a series of policy papers to provide clear and actionable answers to how we should forge ahead; by rekindling our ability to deliver projects, to be agile, and to compete. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Gerard Brady, Chief Economist, is joined by Aidan Sweeney, Head of Infrastructure and Environ...

Over the coming weeks, and in advance of the publication of the Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, Ibec will activate Our Business Ambition campaign, consisting of a series of policy papers to provide clear and actionable answers to how we should forge ahead; by rekindling our ability to deliver projects, to be agile, and to compete. In this episode of Ibec Responds, Gerard Brady, Chief Economist, is joined by Hazel Ahern-Flynn, Senior Economist, and Meadhbh ...