Taking Stock

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talks to Lawrence Donegan who is a renowned Scottish journalist, author and former musician with bands such as Llyod Cole and the Commotions. He is now based in the US and he’s back on the US election beat for what he says is the biggest story of our lifetime. He has been traveling around America covering the US Presidential campaign and he gives us his take on where things stand in the race for the White House.And the big beasts of Wall Street are no longer having it all their own way anymore as a new wave of electronic-trading firms muscle in on their patch and we hear about the companies taking over the global stock market landscape.And finally - in the budget this week fuel prices went up, but that's not the only concern for households and car owners. As tensions escalate in the Middle East Mandy looks at the potential cause for concern about yet another energy crisis with Muireann Lynch of the ESRI. Plus, Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times gives us his take on Budget 2025.

In our monthly Techscape slot with thanks to PWC Mandy talks to Chris Stokel-Walker about Telegram; the social media platform used by nearly a billion people.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at the Taoiseach’s bold new idea: a Department of Infrastructure. Does anyone really want another government department? Mandy talks to Economist John Fitzgerald and Conal Thomas of the Business Post.In our monthly Techscape slot we look at the social media platform that is Telegram and ask what really goes on there when Mandy chats to David Stokel-Walker.And the honeymoon is over for Keir Starmer, as the Labour party conference gets swallowed by black holes and the age-old 'who-paid-for-that-shirt' saga. Mark Paul of the Irish Times was there and he tells us all about it.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at the benefits of putting your foot down at work and simply saying 'no'. Michael McGrath got the Justice portfolio in the European Commission, but how did the rest of Europe fare when the big jobs were being handed out? EuroNews Reporter Jorge Liboreiro chats to Mandy. And two and a half years on Mandy looks at the war in Ukraine and where it stands now as the people of Ukraine head into another winter.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy is joined by Lauren Fedor from the Financial Times who has been covering the US Presidential debate and she breaks down the fallout for both Trump and Harris as we enter a crucial phase in the race. The government says a €13 billion windfall from the Apple Tax ruling won’t affect this year’s Budget package. But with the Dáil set to return, how much cash will actually be available? Mandy takes stock of the promises made over the summer and what it would cost if everything the government pledged actually came to pass.Plus we turn our attention to the UK and the ongoing debate about the BBC's future. What challenges are they facing, and how might it compare to our own media landscape?

With two major elections on the horizon both here and in America this week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston dives into voter patterns and surprising factors like how weather can affect turnout when she talks Kevin Cunningham from ‘Ireland Thinks’We’ll also look at how banks are assessing risks in their commercial property portfolios and what that could mean for the economy. Catherine Sanz of the Business Post will share her findings.And in Germany, the far-right AFD party made historic gains in recent elections. Author Katja Hoyer will discuss what this could mean for Europe.

 This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston looks at how Poland has decided that the next phase of its economic growth needs to be fuelled by a shiny new infrastructure project: a massive airport built away from Warsaw. Is it the type of bold thinking we could learn from here or will it end up as a folly? Raphael Minder, Central Europe Correspondent of the Financial Times explains the plan.Laura Slattery of the Irish Times talks us through the ever more complex relationships between tech giants and world leaders.Plus, Fashion writer Bairbre Power on the changing face of office wear and how its lead to a growth in the business of personal shoppers.

This week on Taking Stock Mandy Johnston talks to Caroline Vakil of The Hill who was at the US Democratic Conference all this week and she’ll bring us the key moments from the political jamboree in Chicago.There have been major upheavals at Starbucks with high-profile sackings making headlines. Mandy talks to Amelia Lucas of CNBC about the recent goings on.Plus, Mandy looks at the life and legacy of Mick Lynch, the British tech mogul often compared to Bill Gates, who tragically was lost at sea this week.

In our Monthly ‘Techscape’ slot we thanks to PWC we look at the strange case of the people trying to make rain in the United Arab Emirates when we hear from Amit Katwala of Wired.

This week on Taking Stock Emmet Oliver is in for Mandy Johnston and he talks to Paul McArdle of the Panel.com about Netflix’s policies around under-achieving staff.We ask where would a Trump Victory leave Ireland economically and should we be worried? Emmet talks to Economist Dan O’Brien.And in our Monthly ‘Techscape’ slot we thanks to PWC we look at the strange case of the people trying to make rain in the United Arab Emirates when we hear from Amit Katwala of Wired.