Rooting for loose change on the dashboard at a toll plaza is an immediate reminder of the infrastructure cost of the roads and bridges we drive on.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Simon Coveney was acutely aware of the difficulties he faced when he sought the housing portfolio in government but he might not have anticipated an extra lip to that poisoned chalice in the form of bin charges.

The Government is threatening bin companies with fresh regulations to control charges.

The official standards body will be checking the accuracy of bin weights when new pay by weight rules for household waste come into effect on July 1.

A fatal accident inquiry into the Glasgow bin lorry crash which left six people dead just before Christmas has heard the driver would carry what happened with him for the rest of his days as it closed.