A key element of the largest flood defence scheme in the history of the state has been delayed by up to six months following a European Court ruling on the potential impact of such works on protected habitats.

Work on the first flood defences in Cork City could get under way before the end of the year after a €6m quay regeneration project got the green light last night.

The Office of Public Works has overestimated the cost of building a tidal barrier in Cork Harbour by at least €200m, which proves the scheme should not be discounted on cost grounds, a new independent report has claimed.

The OPW has again insisted its €140m flood defence proposal for Cork City is the only viable solution to protect the city despite calls for a more balanced approach.

As Cork City Council and the Office of Public Works draw up plans to erect controversial flood defences in the city centre, the Irish Examiner brings you an alternative view. All this week, we highlight the shortlisted entries to the Save Cork City competition to unlock the potential of Morrisson’s Island in the heart of the city centre and reimagine what its future might hold. Some are brave. Some are bold. But all are designed to spark debate. The overall winner will be revealed in the Irish Examiner next Monday.

The OPW has bowed to public pressure and plans to use demountable barriers instead of raising quay walls along two historic quays as part of its €140m flood defence plan for Cork City.

A tidal barrier like those protecting New Orleans could be built in Cork for €140m, an independent report suggests.

A tidal barrier like those protecting New Orleans could be built in Cork for €140m, an independent report suggests.

Waterford firm, Kollect, is pioneering a new pay-as-you-go waste collection system, writes Trish Dromey

PJ Hegarty & Sons have been appointed contractors for the €150m redevelopment of ESB’s Dublin 2 head office site at Lower Fitzwilliam St.

Local businesses in Cork city have told a group opposed to a proposed flood relief scheme there that they are concerned about the future of businesses in the city centre if the construction goes ahead.

We do not want to build more walls, says the Save Cork City campaign group, which argues that reducing the level of flooding should be the first priority, writes Eoin English.

Hurling hero Donal Óg Cusack has been denied planning permission to build his dream home on the outskirts of his home village in Cork.

What started as a steady trickle has, in the past 24 hours, become a deluge — the Irish are here en masse.

A west Waterford soccer club, preparing for 50th anniversary celebrations next year, faces an uncertain future after one of the playing pitches it has occupied for more than 25 years was purchased from a receiver.

It’s not just about winning for Mike Keohane, from Rosscarbery, Co Cork, who won a gold and two silver medals at the weekend at the British Transplant Games.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has called for increased vigilance on the roads following five deaths in three separate accidents over the weekend.

DERELICT buildings and ill-kempt facades are an unfortunate feature of the Cork City visual experience.

Wexford football trainer John Hegarty has lashed the standard of football punditry — and The Sunday Game in particular — for what he believes is a lack of knowledge about teams and players beyond the leading All-Ireland contenders, the Irish Examiner has reported.

WEXFORD football trainer John Hegarty has lashed the standard of football punditry — and The Sunday Game in particular — for what he believes is a lack of knowledge about teams and players beyond the leading All-Ireland contenders.

TWENTY years of peace building have come to fruition with the queen’s visit, said former President Mary Robinson.

Conservationist John Hegarty has helped revamp a Georgian building on Sunday’s Well, Cork, writes Rose Martin.

PRINCE ALBERT of Monaco has revealed that an Irish university research post is to be established to commemorate his mother, the late Hollywood actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly.

Professor Patrick Prendergast has been elected Provost of Trinity College Dublin.

UNIVERSITY chiefs have been crying from the rooftops for the past two years about the severe under funding of their colleges and the effects it is having on the quality of the education.

EDUCATION Minister Mary Coughlan has hinted there will be no increases in third-level college budgets again next year despite claims our reputation is being damaged by lack of funds.

University heads warned of the effect of education cuts today after Ireland’s two leading universities, Trinity College and UCD, slipped down the world rankings.

THE feared “surge” in homelessness arising from the collapse of the economy has begun, a leading charity has warned.

MIKE Keohane is living proof of life after transplant.

UNDER scrutiny One51 chief executive Philip Lynch has eased the mounting pressure on his leadership of the investment group, by securing the backing of former dissident John Hegarty.

GOLF addict Niall Quinn describes the atmosphere at Adare Manor for the JP McManus Pro-Am as being “like Christmas time for adults”.

A THIRD of all PAYE workers who earn over €100,000 per annum are employed in the public sector, according to figures supplied by the Revenue Commissioners.

THE country might be struggling to keep its head above water but some, it seems, have no problem splashing the cash... for Japanese fish.

THERE’S a whole lot more than first meets the eye at this lime-dashed west Cork village home. Step in the front door of this street side, low-key Georgian restoration and its interiors whisk along a century or two in terms of internal design, furnishings and comfort. Location is in the architectural gem of a village that is Castletownshend, and this new market arrival (it graced our front page last week, but needs this interior spread to show what the mix really has to offer) it going to appeal to a mobile set.

CASTLETOWSHEND in west Cork is a one street village – but what a street.

Families of two young Irish doctors on board the Air France airliner that vanished over the Atlantic spoke today of their heartbreak at the loss of their daughters.

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese’s daughter, Emma, stole the limelight from her mother when she claimed a top academic accolade at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) yesterday.

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe has urged high-earning third-level academics and managers to take the pay cuts already being offered by senior civil servants after it emerged 50 university bosses were paid €10 million last year.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen will give the Government’s backing today to a controversial research collaboration between two universities which has already created major divisions within the third-level sector.

GOVERNMENT funding for a research collaboration between the country’s two largest universities looks set to cause major divisions with other third-level colleges.

UNIVERSITY lecturers and professors have vowed to resist attempts to impose pay cuts or changes to conditions by individual universities to help meet curtailed budgets.

Dublin’s Trinity College was today ranked the 49th best university in the world after scoring top marks in an international survey.

Two clergymen who witnessed the decommissioning of IRA weapons will be honoured for their role in the key chapter of the peace process, it was announced today.