Energy emissions in Ireland decreased significantly last year, resulting in an overall reduction in the country’s production of greenhouse gases, according to new figures from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The increase sales of in car, lorry and 4x4 during the economic boom means Ireland’s pollution levels now exceed EU standards.

GREENHOUSE gas emissions have risen in the agriculture, energy and industrial sectors — even though the country’s overall emission figures have fallen.

EXPERTS have warned that “tanorexia” — an obsession with being tanned — is leading to a rise in skin cancer, which is now the most common form of the disease.