Columns - Irish Examiner

John Whelan

An expert in Irish and international trade, John Whelan is a former Chief Executive of the Irish Exporters Association, a role he held for more than a decade and previously served as an export industry adviser to the AIB Bank Group.

John Whelan: Sustainability compliance changes coming fast for firms

Ireland was one of the first EU member states to implement the new EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Regulations 2024

Sun, 18 Aug, 2024

John Whelan: Pharma in Ireland has bounced back, but how long will it last?

Falling revenues in pharmaceutical firms turned around in 2024 but competition and regulation may pinch the profitability of a sector that is crucial to Ireland

Sun, 04 Aug, 2024

John Whelan: The aviation sector soars again but so do airline costs

The big question facing IATA and airlines including Aer Lingus and Ryanair is how to turn the passenger growth into bottom-line profits

Sun, 28 Jul, 2024

John Whelan: Firms must work to implement new EU AI rules

For SMEs, ignorance of the law is no defence, and firms that buy in AI solutions from the tech giants will be obliged to review their terms and conditions to ensure they comply with the AI Act

Sun, 07 Jul, 2024

Russian Ruble Tumbles as President Putin Orders Forces to Breakaway Ukraine Areas

John Whelan: Sanctions against Russia are not working

The Russian economy has grown at the same rate as the US so far this year and a wide range of European companies have been dodging current embargoes

Sun, 09 Jun, 2024

John Whelan: Trade wars spell trouble for exporters like Ireland

There will be implications for the country as the Biden administration slaps heavy tariffs on a range of goods from China

Sun, 26 May, 2024

Country to country, business to business way forward for trade?

Ireland has forged direct arrangements with China, Malaysia, and Japan at a time when globalisation and free-trade agreements have promoted inequality in richer nations

Sun, 05 May, 2024

Ireland’s digital exports now third largest internationally

Surpassing €300bn, digital exports are proving to be an economic sweetspot

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup - Day Two - Lee Valley VeloPark

John Whelan: Irish exporters can expect further challenges over trade with China

Global ratings firm Fitch affirmed China’s high level debt rating, but signalled that the outlook was less than rosy amid concerns about Beijing’s economic and trade model

Sun, 14 Apr, 2024

John Whelan: The world is racing to embrace AI but the cost may be too high for Irish SME’s

The scale of investment required in the technology here is lacking

Sun, 31 Mar, 2024