
The Big Tech Show: With AI now replacing graduates in Irish white collar jobs, who's next?
According to a major new report from Morgan McKinley Ireland, artificial intelligence is starting to replace graduate jobs in Ireland. A similar phenomenon is taking place in the UK where up to 33% of graduate programs have been slashed in the big four accountancy and consultancy firms.
You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Irish Post
a day ago
- Irish Post
Beef prices skyrocket since the start of the year
IRISH beef prices have soared by up to 30% in the first half of the year. People are now paying noticeably more for both premium cuts and everyday staples like mince. An Irish Independent survey tracking prices between March and July found a steep increase across all beef products. A 400g prime fillet steak in SuperValu increased from €14.99 to €18.99, while a 500g sirloin steak in Aldi jumped from €8.49 to €10.49. While 450g mince packets in Lidl climbed from €4.29 to €5.79. These rising prices show the challenges facing Irish beef farmers, who are battling surging production costs. The price of feed, fertiliser, fuel and veterinary medicines has risen dramatically since 2024, pushing up the overall cost of producing beef. According to John Cleary, chairman of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association, farm expenses have increased by at least 25% in the past year alone. Without continued price rises, many farmers would struggle to stay in business. Adding to the problem is the sharp rise in live cattle exports, which are up 20% compared with last year. Exporters are outbidding Irish beef finishers, driving up the cost of replacement animals. Young weanling bulls that sold for €1,400 last year are now exceeding €2,000, further squeezing farmers' margins. This increase is driven by strong international demand as other European countries face herd reductions and tighter supply. While Irish processors have handled around 15,000 more cattle than this time last year, the broader European shortfall is creating fierce competition for Irish beef. Industry leaders have urged factories and the government to ensure farmers receive fair returns. Declan Hanrahan of the Irish Farmers' Association called for a united approach, highlighting that tight supplies and strong demand should enable processors to pass on higher prices to farmers. Bord Bia has also been urged to intensify promotion of Irish beef standards to capitalise on export opportunities. For farmers, the recent price surge offers some relief after years of volatile markets and higher costs. However, the gains come with other risks. Winter finishers, who buy in cattle to fatten over the colder months, face high upfront stock costs and ongoing inflation in feed and energy. Their profit margins are shrinking, and even slight dips in market prices could leave them exposed. From a consumer perspective, the rising prices are already shifting behaviour. Analysts warn that if current trends continue, a steak in an average Irish restaurant could soon cost €50, making beef an occasional luxury rather than a household staple. There are growing concerns that shoppers will turn to cheaper alternatives such as pork and chicken to manage their grocery bills. Irish supermarkets have managed to shield consumers from the full extent of these increases through aggressive discounting, but these measures are not sustainable in the long run. The outlook suggests that elevated beef prices are likely to continue. Teagasc economist Dr Kevin Hanrahan has made it clear that prices are unlikely to return to 2024 levels any time soon. Factory prices for R3-grade steers have jumped from €5.18 per kg last year to €7.77 per kg today, excluding bonuses. This pressure is set to continue as long as input costs stay high and demand remains strong. See More: Beef, Bord Bia, Cattle, Cost Of Living


Irish Independent
29-07-2025
- Irish Independent
The Big Tech Show: Trump says pharmaceutical deal coming in 'near future'
JJ Clarke, producer, joins Adrian on this week's episode of The Big Tech Show. EU exports will be hit with a 15% tariff while US imports to the EU carry a zero tariff. It is seen as a complete capitulation from the European side and a win for both the US and Trump on the American side. This means that thousands of European companies and millions of workers within the EU are being put under considerable pressure and disadvantage when compared to their US rivals. You can listen to the full episode here on the Irish Independent website or wherever you get your podcasts.


Irish Post
28-07-2025
- Irish Post
O'Leary discusses possible Ryanair replacement
MICHAEL O'Leary, the outspoken CEO of Ryanair, is setting his sights on the future for the airline—while also beginning to map out the path for his eventual succession. Now 64, O'Leary has no plans to leave in 2028 when his current contract ends, but he acknowledges that the final decision lies with Ryanair's board and shareholders. 'I have no desire to leave in 2028,' he said to the Irish Independent. O'Leary's target is to lead Ryanair to 300 million passengers annually by 2034, a goal tied closely to securing a major aircraft order from Boeing, Airbus, or possibly Chinese manufacturer Comac. Achieving that, he predicts, could see the airline delivering profits of €3–4 billion a year. While he remains committed to leading Ryanair toward that goal, succession planning is already well underway. He has name-checked four young leaders—all in their 30s and 40s—who he believes are well-placed to take over: Neil McMahon (operations), Jason McGuinness (commercial), Dara Brady (sales and marketing), and Tracey McCann (CFO of Ryanair DAC). These individuals, he said, are already driving much of the airline's day-to-day performance. O'Leary dismissed the idea of recruiting an external candidate from other major airlines, saying Ryanair's internal talent pool is far better suited to its unique business model. 'You can't exactly go to another airline like Aer Lingus, BA or Lufthansa — all of whom are much smaller than us — to find the next CEO of Ryanair.' He emphasised that any future CEO should compete for the role but acknowledged that internal candidates would hold an advantage. Ryanair's next generation of leadership, with an average age around 40, is already being groomed for the top roles, he said, underlining that the board annually reviews succession plans in case of any unexpected changes. Outside of airline matters, O'Leary remained as combative as ever. He ruled out a run for the Irish presidency, calling it an 'overpaid non-job,' and voiced frustration with the Irish government over airport passenger caps, housing, and transport policy. 'We're hampered by inexplicable government incompetence,' he said, pointing to stalled expansion plans at Dublin Airport and what he sees as political dithering. He also weighed in on the Airbnb debate, calling for aggressive taxation to free up local housing in tourist-heavy cities, noting, 'You can't service the visitors unless local people can afford accommodation.' After nearly four decades at the helm, O'Leary insists he still gets a 'kick' out of running the airline—albeit a different kind than when Ryanair was flying just a million passengers a year. Today, it flies over 660,000 daily. 'I'd like to see us grow to over a million passengers a day,' he said, and with his plans firmly in place, he just might stick around long enough to make it happen. See More: Michael O'Leary, Ryanair