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Here's everything you need to know about business this week

Everyone was talking about Denis O’Brien and SiteServ, broadband wars and jobs for the grads.

Warning Sign Children - standard Romanian shape Alex Pănoiu Alex Pănoiu

EVERY WEEKEND, TheJournal.ie gives its readers the chance to put their feet up and take a look back at all the goings-on from the world of business.

Once again it’s time to delve deep inside The Briefcase for the important – and sometimes less-important – financial news that has come out this working week:

People started focussing on SiteServ again. After the sideshow that was media and telecoms tycoon Denis O’Brien’s injunction against RTÉ, and the confusion over whether that extended to independent TD Catherine Murphy’s comments in the Dáil, the focus this week returned to the sale of SiteServ to the Irish billionaire. It emerged the state-owned IBRC’s write-down on the deal was even bigger than thought, at €119 million

9th Broadband Commission Meeting, Dublin 22-23 March 2014 ITU Pictures ITU Pictures

There was some big news in broadband. Eircom announced it was extending the roll out of its fibre network to include 1.9 million homes, although it’s still lagging well behind UPC when it comes to customer numbers. Meanwhile, Vodafone and UPC’s owners Liberty Global have been in talks about some sort of tie-up

Things are looking up for this year’s graduates. Figures from GradIreland showed demand for new entrants into the job market was on the rise, as were salaries for recent recruits. Most of the available jobs were in the banking, insurance and financial services industries, although retail and sales positions had the biggest growth

Cheezburger Giphy Giphy

Ikea will start coming to you. The flat-pack furniture giant announced it would expand its online sales network to every country in which it had stores, which means no more wandering around its warehouses – unless you particularly fancy the meatballs

A new Irish biscuit company is cooking up lots of jobs. The Drogheda-based East Coast Bakehouse wants to recruit 100 workers for its planned €15 million food production facility, which will aim to be “a new, commercially competitive local Irish source of biscuits”

Bitscuits Barney Livingston Barney Livingston

The government has been painting a too-rosy budget picture. That’s according to the Fiscal Advisory Council, which was set up in 2012 to assess the state’s financial plans. Its latest report said the government would find it “very challenging” to maintain services if it went ahead with planned tax cuts and spending increases

Starbucks is sneaking the cappuccino off its menus. The coffee chain has quietly been making the move in its US outlets as the Australian-style flat white gains in prominence. But don’t worry, you can still order a frothy, chocolate-topped coffee if you want one

Loop Animated GIF Giphy Giphy

Panda Waste is getting into the power game. The new electricity supplier, branded Panda Power, aims to undercut its rivals and could spark a “price war” in the market. The hard bit will be convincing consumers to shop around and switch providers if they can get a better rate

And one for the road…

There’s something about roller coasters. Their ability to turn otherwise fully-functioning adults into giggling, screaming children at the first plunge.

And so it was with the crew at TheJournal.ie, and our sister title, DailyEdge.ie, as they took a big, crunchy mouthful of the new Cú Chulainn Coaster at Tayto Park.

Strap yourself in for the ride.

davidjellis / YouTube

First published 6 June

MORE: Have a look at our business wraps from previous weeks >

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    Mute windbag
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:45 AM

    Two of my friends work for two different companies in the city centre and they have been told to work from home till January. Not only that but come January there companies have said more than likely they will be in office 2 days a week and home 3 forever…. They are delighted…

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    Mute ed w
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:24 PM

    @windbag: were been told September. but as my broadband coverage of any kind is terrible I cant wait to go back and work properly although a couple of days a week might work.

    38
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    Mute Forest Hump
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    Jun 8th 2020, 5:03 PM

    @ed w: makes sense, this should’ve been put in place years ago. Better for the environment, better for workers and there will be almost no impact to most businesses. Cafes/restaurants may lose out though

    24
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    Mute Disabled Junkie
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:22 PM

    If this pandemic has taught us anything it’s remote working is practical and should become part of the “new normal” where possible. Hopefully the days of having to commute to the office just to be seen are behind us.

    136
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    Mute Rochelle
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:34 AM

    This is what the “open up for business” crowd don’t seem to understand, most customers aren’t interested and want to avoid unessential visits and shopping.

    131
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    Mute Sven Gilmore
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:20 AM

    The money just isn’t there folks!!!

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    Mute Cynical
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:29 AM
    52
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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Jun 8th 2020, 1:34 PM

    @Cynical: oh shuttup

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    Mute Dave Nomates
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    Jun 8th 2020, 4:42 PM

    @Cynical:
    AGAIN, TAKEN FROM A FACE MASK BOX.

    THIS PRODUCT IS AN EAR LOOP MASK.
    IT IS NOT A RESPIRATOR AND WILL NOT PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST COVID-19 (CORONA VIRUS) OR OTHER VIRUSES OR CONTAMINANTS.

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    Mute Cynical
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    Jun 8th 2020, 4:50 PM

    @Sam Greene: Bless you, its a cornerstone for all the other countries that are currently re-opening and could allow us to reduce the 2 meter distance.

    Also expressly recommended by the World Health Organisation:
    ‘The World Health Organization has said that people in Ireland should get into the habit of wearing face coverings, even if it’s not mandatory to do so.’
    https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0606/1145825-coronavirus-facemasks-who/

    I’ll just wait here while you find a link for a Facebook group that links mask wearing to developing autism.

    7
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    Mute Cynical
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    Jun 8th 2020, 4:57 PM

    @Dave Nomates: Stop shouting! You do realise that is a legal disclaimer to protect from anyone that does contract the disease from claiming from them? Masks are not perfect, but they are much better than no protection.

    Depending on the type of mask used, they are between 77% and 96% effective at stopping transmission.
    https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext
    https://www.livescience.com/face-masks-eye-protection-covid-19-prevention.html

    5
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    Mute Isabel Oliveira
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:01 PM

    No widespread usage of masks in buses is ridiculous. Absolutely reckless.

    75
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    Mute Eugene Tyson
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:38 AM

    So… buses were less busy as they returned to normal-ish operating hours.

    Basically, they were busier when there was fewer buses. Which means returning to normal is the right thing to do, with fewer people on buses because there are more buses, is a good thing right?

    Give it a week and it will be crazy again. Especially with more workers returning. Increased traffic will be huge as more people won’t want to get public transport, and take their cars instead.

    Once the schools and colleges are back it will be bedlam. Typically when schools and colleges are off the traffic is ok anyway.

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    Mute Eileen O'Sullivan
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:51 AM

    @Eugene Tyson: that’s a logical analysis. really well argued.

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    Mute Dave Nomates
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:21 AM

    Great to see the majority of right thinking people refuse to wear a stupid mask,
    Insert Idiotic reply below.

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    Mute Robert
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:24 AM

    @Dave Nomates: have a nap Dave

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    Mute Fabio Dillon
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:27 AM

    @Dave Nomates: masks greatly reduce the spread of droplets which is what spreads flu.

    If you disagree you disagree. Majority agree. Including any doctor or biologist you will speak to.

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    Mute Eugene Tyson
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:39 AM

    @Dave Nomates: Wear the mask, it’s only a mask.

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    Mute Eileen O'Sullivan
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:50 AM

    @Eugene Tyson: Dave’s face covering of choice is no doubt a balaclava.

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    Mute David Jordan
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:51 AM

    @Dave Nomates: Peer review research found that people who refuse to comply with social distancing guidelines e.g. wear masks, are more likely to be psychopathic and narcissistic:

    “Psychopathic traits linked to non-compliance with social distancing guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic”

    New research provides some initial evidence that certain antagonistic personality traits are associated with ignoring preventative measures meant to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

    The study has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication in the journal Social Psychology and Personality Science. It is currently available on the PsyArXiv preprint website.

    “One potential implication from this research is that there may be a minority of people with particular personality styles (on the narcissism and psychopathy spectrum) that have a disproportionate impact on the pandemic by failing to protect themselves and others.”

    https://www.psypost.org/2020/06/psychopathic-traits-linked-to-non-compliance-with-social-distancing-guidelines-amid-the-coronavirus-pandemic-56980

    46
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    Mute NotMyIreland
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:52 AM

    @Dave Nomates: So childish. “stupid mask”

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    Mute Kate Flaherty
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    Jun 8th 2020, 11:54 AM

    @Dave Nomates: here’s an idiotic reply for you Braveheart, how comfortable would you be on public transport should the person beside you start to cough or sneeze and have the same idiotic attitude as yourself and choose not to wear a mask?, do you actually believe people are happy about having to wear a mask?, probably not but they do it out of respect and regard for others, so the next time you see someone wearing a mask just think they’re wearing it to protect not only themselves but you too…

    47
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    Mute Delboy79
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:19 PM

    @David Jordan: bit OTT there David . Some people are just self conscious about attracting attention/looks by wearing a mask . It’s not the norm yet . I find myself unintentionally looking at people in Tesco who are wearing a mask .

    11
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:57 PM

    @Dave Nomates: Nothing can top your idiotic remark

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    Mute SaveTheTrees
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    Jun 8th 2020, 1:18 PM

    Staggering the opening hours for retail was a great idea, props

    17
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    Mute conex
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    Jun 8th 2020, 12:42 PM

    Them numbers will quadruple…….on dole day !

    14
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    Mute Mislav Smok
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    Jun 8th 2020, 3:49 PM

    Aha you will see how many people will lose jobs now. But stay home fake virus

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    Mute Evelyn Keely
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    Jun 8th 2020, 2:46 PM

    I beg to differ it is very busy frightenly so Luas is a hell of a lot busier I live in the city centre and can see a huge difference in footfall and transport I appriciate some are on their way to or from work but not all…just stay safe if coming into town…

    7
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