Campaigners opposed to the Office of Public Work’s €140 million flood defence plan for Cork have insisted that a tidal barrier can be built for €135m as part of their three-point plan to protect the city from flooding.

Irish Water’s €370m plan to eradicate lead pipes from the public water system could be money down the drain as householders refuse to budge on fulfilling their end of the deal.

The Oireachtas committee overseeing public spending has asked individuals linked with Nama’s €5.7bn Northern Irish property sale to answer outstanding questions over the deal.

Private equity firms are circling Bayer’s €10bn plastics business, hoping to divert the German drugmaker from its plan to list the division, two people familiar with the matter said yesterday.