IF Mary O’Leary ever runs short of reasons to be cynical about the planning system, she casts her mind back to January 2004 to restock.

A PETITION has been signed by 5,000 people in support of the development of two major supermarkets that would create hundreds of jobs in Tipperary.

HUNDRED of millions of euro have flowed and will continue to follow in train in new developments in Cork’s affluent western suburbs.

AN Bórd Pleanála’s decision to give the country’s first municipal waste incinerator the green light was bound to trigger outrage among environmentalist.

HE may be famous for his flying feet, but Michael Flatley’s latest steps may yet prevent the Lord of the Dance star from holding his lavish wedding at his Cork home.

AN BORD PLEANÁLA’S decision to grant planning permission for over 2,300 new homes and apartments on the site of Dublin’s former Phoenix Park racecourse site has angered opponents of the €670m scheme.

FEARS are growing that work on the long-awaited Waterford to Kilcullen route could be delayed.

ENVIRONMENT Minister Martin Cullen will today publish the Government’s new guidelines on rural one-off housing.

AN Bord Pleanala gave the go-ahead yesterday to the controversial €680 million Meath motorway between Clonee and Kells — despite major objections and a protracted appeals hearing.

THE proposed route of the M3 motorway near the Hill of Tara was chosen after extensive public consultation involving some four thousand people and culminating in a 28-day oral hearing by An Bord Pleanála, the High Court was told yesterday.

THE new Strategic Infrastructure Bill threatens the democratic principles that are the foundation stone of our planning system. It is founded on the principle that the regulation of development is a matter that should normally be settled locally.

ONE of the country's oldest GAA clubs faces serious safety and long-term viability concerns if a planned dual carriageway cuts through its grounds and does not allow it room to expand and grow, a safety expert has warned.

THERE were fresh calls last night to change the country’s oil exploration taxes, which are the lowest in the world.

THE European Commission is investigating a controversial Trim hotel development which was given the go-ahead after then Environment Minister Martin Cullen personally overruled objections from heritage officials.

DOWN near Gobby Strand in Ringaskiddy yesterday, people nervously laughed when they heard Indaver general manager John Ahern say on radio that incinerators don’t harm your health.

HOME to beauty — that’s what’s on offer at the Ross Road, Killarney, this week where four exclusive sites hit the market at €500,000 apiece.

FORMER political lobbyist Frank Dunlop, who has admitted bribing Dublin county councillors, is due to give further evidence to the Mahon tribunal investigating planning corruption early next week.

AN BORD PLEANÁLA paid €4m over two years to outside consultants to tackle a backlog in planning appeals, it emerged yesterday.

TIME will tell whether the feelgood factor in Fianna Fáil ranks translates into a good performance in June’s local and European elections.