Met Éireann has issued a status yellow snow and ice warning for the entire country.

New fire safety regulations for apartments have been changed following lobbying from a major international development company.

New fire regulations for open-plan living are, like so much of the State’s planning process,developer-led, but is there a cost to safety standards? asks Michael Clifford.

Fine Gael’s social housing plan for Government will see 60,000 such homes built at a rate of 12,000 per year for the next five years, the party said at its launch this afternoon.

A leading Fianna Fáil TD has said he would back a motion of no-confidence in the Government if it were tabled because of its handling of the housing crisis.

NOT all of the ‘Cuckoo’ funds currently snapping up Ireland’s apartment blocks in fell swoops for fat profits are vultures, predators, or pension and international funds seeking top rents.

Rat infestations, blocked sewers, substandard housing, lack of play areas — a report on Traveller accommodation in Galway city and county paints a bleak picture of the living conditions.

The Tánaiste has defended Verona Murphy and said that he would not call for her deselection.

"Strategic marine activity zones" may be designated in coastal and offshore waters as part of the Government's new approach to marine planning.

Government ministers confirmed the plan as part of the cross-departmental Be Winter Ready campaign amid ongoing criticism it is failing to help people in most need.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have declared war on each other after both parties made a series of formal complaints alleging their general election opponents have repeatedly broken rules in the Dáil votes saga.

Minister of state Damien English and Fianna Fáil’s Barry Cowen are the latest politicians to be dragged into the ‘phantom voting’ controversy.

The duo have said they were in the Dáil on occasions when their button was pressed but they were not in their seats.

Demands have been made to clarify who knew what, and when, as concerns were raised over a potential unofficial policy to pay off criminals to ensure housing construction sites were not attacked.

Junior minister for drugs Catherine Byrne admitted the situation as Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy insisted he knew nothing of the situation until media reports this morning.

Homeowners wishing to carry out major renovations face paying thousands of euro extra to comply with strict new building regulations which come into effect on November 1.

Individuals could be blocked from objecting to Traveller community housing being built in their areas unless complaints meet strict new rules under Government plans.

The Government is making a fresh push to entice older people to move out of their family homes and free up housing by gauging their interest in a series of financial and property incentives in the run-up to the next budget.

The head of advocacy at homeless charity Focus Ireland is calling on the Minister for Housing to look at the right to a home provision in the Constitution.

A manual is being launched today to help owners, local authorities and the construction industry re-use existing property in our towns and cities.

If ever a trainer fit the handle of this column, it is Damien English, the Balbriggan native operating out of Grougha Stables in Naul.

"I especially think homework is bad for those with special needs, like me, who are really exhausted when they come home in the evenings."

There will not be a clearout of homeless people living in hotels because of the Pope's visit, according to the Junior Housing Minister.

A group campaigning against kelp harvesting in Bantry Bay has secured a judicial review into the decision to grant a licence for what would be the biggest such harvesting operation in the State.