A campaign is under way in the Kilkenny area to contain an outbreak of giant hogweed — an invasive plant which can result in injuries when it comes into contact with people.

The first tallies from the Carlow-Kilkenny by-election are starting to roll in.

Former IFA President John Bryan has confirmed he will seek a Fine Gael nomination to run in the Dáil by-election in Carlow/Kikenny.

The 24-hour picket mounted by opponents of the controversial new bridge in Kilkenny is likely to end today although there is now speculation a legal challenge will be taken against the project.

Labour councillor Maurice Shortall has topped the poll in Kilkenny, bucking the national trend which saw the party decimated in many areas.

The son of the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Deputy John McGuinness looks set to top the poll in his electoral area.

The Government has been asked to ensure that any new national spatial strategy mapping out development across the country must be backed up by law and also prevent a “planning free-for-all”.

A grant-aided scheme to remove harmful lead pipes from the drinking water supply could provide jobs as well as eliminate a public health risk, the Green Party has said.

PHIL HOGAN’S attempts to block a constituent family getting housing needs to be put in context.

ON Nov 10, the Fine Gael-Labour Coalition will ask the public to approve a referendum to insert dedicated children’s rights into the Constitution.

The family at the centre of a Traveller re-location row have called on Environment Minister Phil Hogan to apologise for assuring a constituent that the family would not be housed nearby.

National agri research and training body Teagasc has begun its outdoor trials to grow genetically modified, blight-resistant potatoes at its facility in Oakpark, Co Carlow.

Environmentalists have been refused a High Court order allowing them the means to legally challenge Teagasc’s planned genetically-modified potato trials.

Greens have reacted angrily to the decision allowing GM potatoes to be grown on a trial basis.

DIAGEO has confirmed its intention to invest €153 million in upgrading and expanding its iconic Guinness Brewery at St James’s Gate in Dublin over the next two years.

THE Green Party celebrated its 30th anniversary yesterday with leader Eamon Ryan unveiling a new front bench and a return to politics of former parliamentary party members.

NEW Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has admitted that his biggest task will be to win back public trust.

The new Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan, has criticised the new Government for not sticking with the "Green Agenda".

Former Minister Eamon Ryan has been elected the new leader of the Green Party.

The Green Party will announce its new leader today.

Former minister Eamon Ryan is among three candidates vying for leadership of the Green Party who will learn their fate on Friday.

The Green Party leadership contest gets underway today, with Eamon Ryan and Malcolm Noonan the only two names yet in the ring.

THE Green Party chairman Dan Boyle has said there must be an opportunity for a new generation to steer the movement following John Gormley’s decision to step aside.

BY the time the famous St Francis Abbey Brewery in Kilkenny reaches its 300th birthday in 2010, activity will have all but stopped following yesterday’s Diageo announcement.

WE congratulate the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Most Rev John Neill, on his courageous and thought-provoking criticism of the US military and CIA use of Shannon airport.