Joe was joined in studio by Sam the Robot. He belongs to the Meath based company Fusion Tech and he and robots like him may soon become a regular sight in homes and offices doing the kind of chores that we’re not so keen on. His owner for now at least is Gerry McDonnell, the Chief Executive of Fusion Tech.

March is Guaranteed Irish month. We’ve already seen a great surge in pride in our rugby team and our actresses and of course the world went green on Tuesday. But does your business consider where a product or service comes from before it buys? Or is price the main determinant? All to discuss with Bríd O’Connell the Chief Executive of Guaranteed Irish.

All the business news headlines along with Newstalk's Business Editor and Leonie MacCann from Irish Life Investment Managers.

Farms can be among the most energy-hungry but also emissions-heavy businesses in the economy. Local Power Ltd has teamed up with the Austrian company Biogest to develop a biomethane site in Carnaross in Co Meath which they hope to turn nasty smelling slurry and waste into cleaner renewable energy. But it will only proceed once the Government decides which types of renewable energy should be obligatory. Joining Joe on the show this morning was Pat Smith the Director of Local Power Ltd.

Specsavers has a whopping 2800 stores worldwide including 66 or so here in Ireland. They provide far more than just glasses to their customers. Indeed as of this month they carry out cataract and glaucoma operations in-house. But with the arrival of online eye testing and cheap alternatives and hearing aids from overseas, how will Specsavers manage? All to discuss with Kerril Hickey, Chair of Specsavers Ireland.

Thursday's business news headlines along with Newstalk's Business Editor Joe Lynam.

Whether it’s Roy Keane or James Lowe or newer stars such Troy Parrott or Erin King, sports stars are increasingly marketable entities. Sport Endorse is an Irish founded platform that brings together athletes with companies that wish to sponsor them. Only this week it launched its business in the US with a presence in South Africa as well as the UK making it a global player.

Joining Joe in studio was Trevor Twamley, Founder and Ceo of ‘Sport Endorse’ .

Whether it’s crude oil, liquified natural gas, jet fuel, helium or fertiliser, they are all fossil fuel derived and mostly originate in the part of the Middle East currently at war and blockaded. Our utter dependence on the narrow strait of Hormuz has been underlined for the past few weeks.

But how can we wean ourselves off this area and how do we manage to avoid a very damaging energy crisis? All to discuss with Robert Maxwell iPrincipal Consultant with the energy company DNV consulting.