Builders bonds, 50,000 jobs in green hydrogen, and Revolut versus the banks

Business Today: the best news, analysis and comment from The Irish Times business desk

Can Revolut replace your traditional bank account? Photograph: Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Can Revolut replace your traditional bank account? Photograph: Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

County councils were holding in excess of €291 million in so-called development bonds at the end of 2020, according to figures seen by The Irish Times. Builders and developers say the councils are slow to refund the money, which they argue could be better deployed on other projects. Eoin Burke-Kennedy reports.

Developing a"green" hydrogen industry could create up to 50,000 new jobs, if Government produces a suitable strategy for the fuel, Dr James Carton, assistant professor of sustainable energy at Dublin City University has predicted. Barry O'Halloran has the details.

Ireland needs to overhaul its personal taxation system while investing heavily in housing, climate and broadband if it wants to continue to attract overseas investment, professional services firm KPMG has said. Eoin Burke-Kennedy has read its submission to the Commission Taxation and Welfare.

Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Transport, intends raising airlines' concerns about delays in completing security background checks on job applicants with the Department of Justice, writes Barry O'Halloran.

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The High Court has appointed Michael McAteer of Grant Thornton as interim examiner to a Dublin-based but US-run drug maker Mallinckrodt, in what will be one of the biggest such cases in the history of the State. Ellen O'Riordan reports.

Telus International Ireland is to create 300 additional jobs at its Irish sites over the coming year. Charlie Taylor has the details.

Can Revolut replace your traditional bank account? Fiona Reddan has the answer in our personal finance feature.

In Q&A, a reader wonders if they should pay off their mortgage before their lender increases the interest rate. Dominic Coyle offers some guidance.

ESB will be a key player in the rollout of chargers for electric vehicles, which could create a conflict of interest, writes Cantillon.

Unilever's decision to splash its cash on Super Bowl ads for Hellmann's Mayonnaise has left a sour taste in the mouths of some shareholders. Laura Slattery explains why in her weekly column.

In Me & My Money, singer Tommy Fleming says he doesn't have the heart to haggle. Tony Clayton-Lea

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Ciarán Hancock

Ciarán Hancock

Ciarán Hancock is Business Editor of The Irish Times