Words are cheap, human rights defenders and best buds

Irish companies are among the best in the world at adopting climate targets and policies but fall down when it comes to actually curbing emissions, a major international report has found. Eoin Burke-Kennedy has the details.

The communications regulator has confirmed plans to cut the wholesale rate that Eir receives from other telcos for using its network to deliver services such as high-speed broadband to consumers. Charlie Taylor reports.

Government should boost spending on the National Development Plan by €25 billion to build infrastructure that the Republic needs, experts say. Barry O'Halloran reports.

Karlin Lillington tells us why human rights defenders must be cherished and how the arts are intrinsic to activism.

Irish companies are good at setting climate targets, poor at cutting emissions, report finds

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Women human rights defenders face onslaught of threats online

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Infrastructure budget pledge calls for €10bn grain of salt

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Engineers call for €25bn development plan boost

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New Innovator finds out how Sharo Mobility is making it easier to get to and from work without a car.

Ciara O'Brien weighs up which wireless ear buds are right for you and reviews the Fitbit Sense.

Cantillon wonders how the Government will solve the riddle of different lockdown on both side of the Border and how we will manage cost overruns when it comes to future big-ticket infrastructure spending.

Turning bread into beer might sound far-fetched, writes Olive Keogh, but it's an idea being fermented in Co Longford in a novel B2B project.

In our Inside Business Podcast Irish Times political reporter Jennifer Bray outlines the key points of Budget 2021 while Cliff Taylor and Liam Diamond, Tax Partner at PwC Ireland, join Ciarán Hancock to discuss the green measures contained within and how this level of spending will affect the state in years to come. Finally, Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, CEO of ITIC and Patricia Callan, Director of Drinks Ireland take a look at what Budget 2021 has delivered for the tourism and hospitality industries.

And just in case you missed anythingBudget 2021 you catch up with all the news, comment and analysis on our dedicated site.

Applications for The Irish Times Innovation Awardsfor 2020 are now invited. The awards will recognise innovations and bright ideas brought to market between January 1st, 2019 and May 30th of this year, across five categories. It's free to enter so check it out .

For all information on the Top 1000 Irish companies go to irishtimes.com/top1000.

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