PROPERTY mogul, Sean Dunne, has been granted planning permission for a major residential, hotel and retail development at the D4Hotels site in Ballsbridge in Dublin.

A TOWN has been gripped by a moving statue saga that has led to heated exchanges between politicians, clergy and hospital managers.

IRELAND is finally in compliance with European law protecting wildlife 20 years after the legislation was first introduced.

Inevitably some wit is going to suggest that the EU Birds and Habitats Directives signed into law yesterday by Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan is for the birds.

THE notion of total immersion in the Irish language is being taken to new lengths by a Gaelscoil which will move to a former swimming pool next year.

HERITAGE body An Taisce has welcomed the decision by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar to put a stop to what it described as “the Metro West folly”.

A WEST Clare businessman has emerged victorious in a planning battle with two other businessman over the provision of a new retail space in Miltown Malbay.

THE recent refusal of planning permission for a toxic and municipal incinerator by An Bord Pleanala means the Cork people can now value their harbour, the biggest natural harbour in Europe and the most fortified harbour in the world. The tourist potential for our forts and Spike Island is vast.

VISITORS to Croke Park may soon enjoy the thrill of jumping off the stadium’s roof onto Hill 16 under plans being proposed by the GAA.

LIMERICK’S regeneration agencies have welcomed a decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for a new link road to Moyross.

A LACK of investors has put paid to plans for a multi- million euro incinerator on the outskirts of Limerick city, it has emerged.

A €100 million, 400ft-high wind farm planned for west Clare is to bypass the planning process.

THE green jobs initiative spearheaded by the GAA is developing momentum after a successful launch in Clonakilty six weeks ago.

A COUPLE have warned that their home in an abandoned estate in Clare will become derelict unless AIB agrees to provide services to the property.

THE future of a medical centre that serves more than 1,000 patients has been thrown into question.

THE promoter behind a planned €200 million wind farm in west Clare yesterday warned it will not proceed unless there is was an overhaul of the grid connection system.

ANTI-PYLON protesters have expressed hope that an international commission, which is to examine the controversial North-South electricity commentator, will recommend that power lines for the project be placed underground.

THE board tasked with developing the new national children’s hospital has slashed by almost 50% the amount it is hoping to raise in charitable donations towards the estimated €650 million cost of the project.

A NUMBER of GPs in Killarney, along with a development company, have been forced to seek planning retention for the use of a building they moved into as a new medical centre last year.

BUSINESS and tourism interests have warned of a “negative impact” for an east Cork town where planning was granted for a sludge treatment plant.