Town planning firm Coakley O’Neill argues that simplifying the planning process to build more homes is not the same as fast-tracking prjects. Pádraig Hoare talks to the firm’s Aiden O’Neill

The outgoing Taoiseach is not renowned for his scintillating oratory and is unlikely to miss Leaders’ Questions, but a couple of speeches made an impact, says Lise Hand.

Developer Owen O’Callaghan has been described as a humble man of integrity and a true gent who support many charities discreetly and charmed all those he met.

One of Ireland's most successful property developers, Owen O'Callaghan, has died, writes Eoin English of the Irish Examiner.

Almost 20 years after it was established and eight years after it last held a public hearing, the bill to the taxpayer for the Mahon tribunal keeps on mounting.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is facing growing pressure to re-admit Bertie Ahern to the party.

We have a shameful history in how we deal with those who are brave enough to speak out against abuses of power — and this must change, says Brendan Howlin

The Government should consider removing the rights of people to object to proposed developments as it is hugely costly, causes delays, and is not necessary, the Irish Planning Institute’s annual conference heard.

The Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new planning regulator after a lack of transparency, poor record-keeping and some irregularities in the planning process were found in a number of county councils.

Enhanced powers for officials to govern the disclosure of interests and other ethical obligations of politicians have been delayed — after first being mooted by the Coalition over three years ago.

Jim Nugent, who famously gave a “dig-out” to former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, has had the €1.3m D4 apartment at Haseldene, Ballsbridge, handed back to a bank.

The Queen of Ireland is a new documentary about Panti and the struggle for marriage equality but its also a great laugh

An independent senior counsel has been appointed to lead an investigation into claims that some banking inquiry witnesses received “preferential” treatment and allegedly met an investigator for dinner days before being questioned over their role in the crash.

Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern was sent a “rope with a noose” in the aftermath of the economic crash, but has continued to reject claims that he is responsible for what happened.

HE MAY have been the Mad Dog of the Middle East, but even Colonel Gaddafi had enough sense to steer clear of Ireland — the Wild West of casino capitalism — when it was going down the tubes in late 2010.

From the Teflon Taoiseach to the man who panicked FF with talk of a run for the Áras, Fiachra Ó Cionnaith looks back on Bertie’s adventures since his fall from grace

Making a payment to a public official will be “presumed” to constitute corruption under upcoming legislation.

Stunning state pensions for Ahern and Cowen, but just statutory redundancy for the Clerys workers turfed out of the building like trash in a feat of financial twisting that was perfectly legal, but morally appalling, writes Shaun Connolly

Politicians and senior backroom officials will be forced to provide in-depth details of any potential “conflict of interest” issues, with a new watchdog set up to ensure the moves take place, under new Mahon Tribunal-inspired Government plans.

On its election, the Coalition promised a democratic revolution but in four years in power it has offered nothing but more of the same, says Lucinda Creighton

Senior Celtic Tiger cabinet members, including Bertie Ahern, Brian Cowen, and Mary Harney, are still receiving gold-plated ministerial pensions worth up to €80,000 a year, despite seven years of economic crisis.

Law they say is sometimes a grey area?

A six-month jail threat hanging over whistleblowers in Ireland could be deterring some from exposing wrongdoing, Europe’s corruption watchdog has warned.

The perception that corruption plays a role in public affairs is as strong as our record in confronting white-collar crime is weak. 

WHAT did they die for? That is the lament for the sacrifice of the 1916 rebels, since corporate greed and government incompetence pushed the State they brought into bloody being to the brink of financial meltdown.

Ireland’s most expensive house was allowed to become derelict to gain a development advantage, it was claimed at yesterday’s An Bord Pleanála hearing.

There is chilling coincidence in the fact that within days of the death of Ben Bradlee, the great, liberal and inspirational American newspaper editor who brought down the corrupt president Richard Nixon by supporting good, old fashioned and don’t-name-your-sources journalism, that the European Court of Human Rights has ruled against The Irish Times in a benchmark case related to the whether journalists are obliged to name their sources or not.

Tom Parlon, director general of the Construction Federation of Ireland (CFI), said in an RTÉ radio interview that land was half the cost of a new house and that hard-pressed buyers of new houses were paying for land for social housing.

Albert Reynolds was triumphant when the Beef Tribunal presented its final report in 1994, its 580 pages containing bizarrely benign conclusions about the key players under its scrutiny.

The forthcoming Planning Bill provides an opportunity to define the term planner for the first time in legislation, writes Mary Hughes

Plastic bag usage has been practically wiped out as a direct result of the decade-old levy on the environmental hazard.

The Mahon Tribunal has turned out to be slightly cheaper than expected.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin says he is working to rebuild the party and is not concerned at comments made by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Close to two thirds of businesses believe they need to bribe and use connections to get the public services they need to do business in Ireland, while the vast majority of citizens believe corruption is widespread in the country.