THE top planning official in Cork city has rejected claims of a massive oversupply of houses in the city.

AFTER a week in which the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) reminded us of how our political system so spectacularly failed us all, of how difficult it is to be optimistic about a political class that was so very easily and catastrophically diverted from its own policies, any sliver of news that is not altogether dismal is to be embraced with enthusiasm.

ONE-IN-SIX houses are lying idle for the majority of the year resulting in growing economic and criminal problems.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has been critical of the “pervasive negativity” that has come to shape public discourse. This “pervasive negativity” is, regrettably, as unavoidable as it is unhealthy.

AN independent inquiry is urgently needed into “all aspects of the planning system and its operation within and across different agencies”, according to a State-funded research group.

Top planners will join forces today to discuss how to tackle the growing blight of ghost estates.

A leading housing charity today urged state bad-bank Nama to only consider knocking down empty and unfinished houses as a last resort.

A STUDY out yesterday warned of a unique “corridor of disadvantage” and social divide in Limerick city.

A STUDY out today warns of a unique “corridor of disadvantage” and social divide in Limerick city.