Laboratory capacity is to be ramped up across the country after 10 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed, bringing the total in the Republic to 34.

The news was confirmed just hours after it was revealed that a worker at Apple in Cork tested positive for the virus.

Construction worker fatalities have decreased by almost 50% since 2015, and the industry has also seen a reduction in the number of non-fatal accidents over the same time frame.

A shot in the arm for the rural economy, including over 3,000 jobs, and a strategic national opportunity; that’s what’s on offer to the Government from an agri-led “green gas” industry, said the Renewable Gas Forum of Ireland this week.

Luas trams are now running again in Dublin after part of the Red Line was shut down because of a gas leak in Kingswood.

The beef protest has revealed that Irish farming is something of a one-trick pony (or a two-trick pony at best), with only milk production offering reasonable prospects of regular income, volatile though it may be from year to year.

Gas Networks Ireland has for the first time injected farm-produced biomethane into its national network at a site in Co Kildare and has just applied for planning permission for a second injection point in North Cork.

Climate crisis activists insist that they are not a threat after their planned protest forced the cancellation of a ‘five-star’ bug hotel opening event in Cork city.

The opening of a ‘five-star’ bug hotel in a Cork City park has been cancelled amid concerns over an eco-protest.

Gas Networks Ireland has reduced its own energy use by 42% since 2006, exceeding the public sector energy efficiency target by over a quarter.

Update: A gas leak at a Cork City housing estate has been made safe.

CHARITABLE companies in Cork donated over €2.1 million to local causes last year, according to the 2018 Business Impact Map produced by Business in the Community Ireland.

A promotional trip billed as Ireland’s first carbon-neutral bus journey took place in Cork yesterday as a bio-methane powered vehicle took passengers from the city centre to Ringaskiddy.

Using slurry to power family homes is the future of energy production in Ireland, ministers believe.

This year, a further seven companies were recertified to the standard: Boots Retail, CRH, Deloitte, ESB, Gas Networks Ireland, Intel and KBC Bank Ireland.

Some of Ireland's leading companies have agreed to significantly cut their carbon emissions between now and 2030.

Nuala Wolfe meets some of the people involved in solving our power needs as Ireland begins to move to a low-carbon economy.

Latest: A man in his 70s found dead in a house in Waterford last night may have been overcome by fumes from material he had been burning.

Latest: Gas supply has been fully restored to customers in Galway and Mayo.

Gas supplies in the west of Ireland should be switched back on a phased basis over the weekend, energy chiefs have said.

Latest: Odourless gas which entered the network in the west of Ireland is being sucked back out of the pipes and burnt off, it has been revealed.

Thousands of natural gas customers in Connacht have been told to shut off their gas supplies becasue odourless gas has got into the network from the Corrib Gas terminal.

Location, a logistical opportunity, and the boss of an major American company with local roots have combined into a perfect “positive” storm for a project which could safeguard Ireland’s energy requirements for many years to come.

Natural gas is to be piped into Longford for the first time following the signing of a €3m deal with holiday village operators Center Parcs.

This year looks set to be a defining one for Ireland’s energy landscape, writes Geoff Percival.

The natural gas pipeline which is being brought from Foynes in Co Limerick to Listowel in Co Kerry should be extended to Tralee, a councillor has said.

Kerry is to be linked to the natural gas network as the pipeline is extended from Foynes in Co Limerick to Listowel in a €20m project.

The recent Energy in Agriculture featured 30 talks, six demonstration events and 45 exhibitors — all focusing on the sustainable use and production of energy in the agricultural sector.

Local authorities are facing multi-million funding shortfalls following confirmation that there will be no Government compensation this year following a rates review.

For an oil and gas explorer, the news that the Brexit referendum result was a “seismic” shift in favour of Leave made compelling reading. Brexit is a timely reminder of the potential future energy issues that might be faced by the island of Ireland.

Gas Networks Ireland engaged in a “clear breach of trust” when it covered up the overrun on a pipeline project, the independent energy regulator has said.

An investigation into “serious financial impropriety” in Gas Networks Ireland north and south of the border has resulted in a fine of £500,000 (€644,122) in the North and sanctions against four employees of the company in the Republic, the Irish Examiner has learned.