Smoky coal is to be banned in towns across the country within three years.

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has said members of the public could face a €100 service charge if they tell Irish Water there is a problem with their water meter.

THE birds are angry. That is good news. Their anger can be put to good use.

Tax cuts have been promised by Finance Minister Michael Noonan as Fine Gael moved to shore up its vote in the looming elections.

I have been interested to read reports recently that the Minister for Environment Phil Hogan has prepared legislation for a partial reform of the Senate and apparently presented this to cabinet.

The parish priest of one of the country’s most deprived estates has warned the Government of “dangerous consequences”, if it continues to neglect the massive regeneration project in Limerick.

Sinn Féin is slamming the Government for cutting Dublin City Council's budget.

ELECTION candidates may soon be confined to putting up election posters in designated areas of Co Cork.

A LOCAL authority is seeking ministerial approval to permit farmers to bury deceased relatives on their home soil.

THE Government was warned yesterday the mid-west was dying on its feet and action was urgently needed to turn around the economic fortunes of its Limerick city hub.

The Oireachtas report into the disastrous flooding in November, including events that led to the River Lee bursting its banks, was being finalised today.

Fine Gael has today called on Taoiseach Brian Cowen to intervene in what it claims is a 'conflict of interest' for Minister for Environment John Gormley in respect to Poolbeg Incinerator.

IT’S ironic that a time of a year when new life begins to spring forth, we also have large-scale destruction of natural features of the landscape and wildlife habitat, in Ireland.

Brian Lenihan has confirmed that water charges will be introduced as part of Budget 2010.

THE Government is not enforcing set guidelines on how a controversial 2km exemption for so-called “granny flats” from the new €200 charge on second properties is being applied.

More than 100 people were evacuated from their homes because of some of the worst flooding for years in Ireland.

THE European Parliament’s petitions committee recently heard that 43% of Irish water supply is lost in leaky pipes from old infrastructure and that farmers are expected to pay for this, thereby subsidising domestic users who are exempt from charges and industrial users who negotiate reduced water rates.

THE Irish Government is being sued by the European Commission because it has failed to introduce laws to ensure the polluter and not the taxpayer pays to clean up damage to the environment.

Minister for Environment John Gormley has announced new measures controlling the export of waste for recycling.

MEP for Munster Kathy Sinnott has demanded the Government explain why it is not availing of an exemption from water charges in the Water Framework Directive from the EU, and is instead charging schools, hospitals and farms for water use.

Thousands of jobs are to be created as Ireland places itself at the centre of a global green energy boom, the Government claimed today.

Minister for Environment John Gormley has reiterated the Green Party's determination to await the outcome of the Mahon Tribunal before passing judgement on Bertie Ahern.

Activists fighting to save the Hill of Tara today launched fresh High Court action to stop the construction of the controversial M3 motorway through the ancient site.

Minister for Environment John Gormley has published draft regulations to implement the new EU Directive on the disposal of batteries.

One of the groups opposed to the route of the M3 motorway being built near the Hill of Tara in Co Meath has called for a new Environmental Impact Assessment to be carried out.

THE traditional light bulb is to be banned by 2009 under a raft of energy efficiency standards announced by the Minister for Environment yesterday.

Minister for Environment John Gormley has announced details of a new tax system that will penalise motorists based on their vehicle's carbon emissions.

Minister for Environment John Gormley has announced plans to ban traditional incandescent light-bulbs in Ireland.

TDs deserve higher salaries because they don’t have access to yachts or luxury homes like other world leaders, the Taoiseach today told the Dáil.

Politicians from Uruguay are to meet the President and Taoiseach during a four-day visit to Ireland this week.

Minister for Environment John Gormley says Ireland needs to move quickly towards a sustainable waste management system for hazardous materials.

Minister for Environment John Gormley will discuss water shortages and droughts with his EU colleagues at a summit in Luxembourg today.

Minister for Environment John Gormley has said the changes to constituency boundaries announced yesterday will be implemented.

Minister for Environment John Gormley has said he will not give in to pressure to scrap the Government's e-voting machines.

Litter louts throwing rubbish on the streets now face on-the-spot fines of €150, Minister for Environment John Gormley warned today.

Minister for Environment John Gormley is coming under pressure to follow through with a pre-election promise to ban all blood sports.

Minister for Environment John Gormley has utilised a rarely-used power to overturn a string of land re-zonings approved by Monaghan County Council.

THE new leader of the Green Party will be announced this evening, with the Minister for Environment and a former MEP vying for the pivotal position.

Nominations for the next leader of the Green Party are due to close today.

More than 250 taxi drivers are threatening to blockade Stormont as new regulations governing cabbies go before the Assembly.

Protesters opposed to the M3 motorway being routed near the Hill of Tara will today stage a demonstration at Custom House in Dublin.

The worst floods for 25 years could hit coastal towns this weekend, it was claimed today.

PLANS to build a multi-million euro golf course at Inch, on the Dingle Peninsula, have received a further setback, with Environment Minister Dick Roche refusing to give the project the green light.

A LIMERICK city councillor has tabled a motion calling on the Minister for Finance and Minister for Environment to fully reimburse the City Council the estimated €50 million bill for the controversial main drainage scheme.