Brokers attack CCPC, 4,500 companies saved in Covid, and air fares to rise

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

Willie Walsh, the director general of the International Air Transport Association, has warned that air fares will rise as airlines implement measures to hit sustainability targets. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw for The Irish Times

The industry body for Irish insurance brokers has launched an unprecedented attack against the State's competition authority over the outcome of a long-running investigation into anti-competitive behaviour in the motor insurance industry between 2015 and 2016, as coverage costs soared. Joe Brennan reports.

At least 4,500 companies have been saved from going bust by the State's pandemic supports, but there is a "debt overhang" of at least €10 billion and many will need to restructure in the coming year, according to a new report by PwC. Colin Gleeson has the details.

Ballymore paid departing UK finance director David Pearson almost €3 million when he left the Irish builder's British business last year and also made a substantial donation to the English National Ballet School, latest accounts show. Barry O'Halloran reports.

Willie Walsh, the former International Airlines Group chief executive who is now director general of the International Air Transport Association, has warned that air fares will rise as airlines implement measures to hit sustainability targets in coming years. Mark Paul has the details.

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Irish whiskey sales rebounded strongly in the US last year, rising 16.3 per cent or $185 million, to a record $1.3 billion. Charlie Taylor goes through the numbers.

What income does a ¤100,000 pension pot give you? Fiona Reddan has the answer in our personal finance feature.

In Q&A, a reader wonders what happens when a family can't agree on the value of an inherited house. Dominic Coyle offers some guidance.

The CCPC's long running investigation into alleged misbehaviour in the motor insurance sector produced an unsatisfactory outcome, writes Cantillon.

In her media and marketing column, Laura Slattery says RTÉ and Virgin Media should look at other TV collaborations, having teamed up to secure the rights to the Six Nations rugby championship.

A recent Oireachtas report confirmed what we knew: politicians cannot be trusted with pensions, writes Cantillon.

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Ciarán Hancock

Ciarán Hancock

Ciarán Hancock is Business Editor of The Irish Times