ONE of the more interesting innovations in Irish tourism in recent years has been the development of abandoned railway lines as greenways for cyclists and walkers, helping to make ecotourism a key niche market.

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.

Amazon executives will come face to face with the two objectors opposing the first phase of the company’s €1bn data centre plan for Dublin. This follows a ruling by Bord Pleanála that an oral hearing will be held into the plan at its offices on September 26.

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed the M20 Cork/Limerick motorway will be part of the 10-year capital spending plan to be announced in December.

Politicians and residents opposed to the construction of incinerators in their localities are due to mount a demonstration outside the Dáil today in protest at the Government's waste management policies.

We may have lost this battle, but the war isn’t over yet.

Doctors at the Killarney Primary Care Centre yesterday said normal business has not been affected by a High Court decision to appoint an examiner to the Prime Healthcare Group that had been involved in setting up the centre.

Bord Pleanála has upheld plans to convert a former 19th-century bank in Dungarvan into a bar and restaurant as West Waterford salutes the success of the county’s greenway project.

Plans to convert a former hotel in Cork city centre into an upmarket retail store have been put on hold following objections from a number of local businesses and An Taisce.

A new €14m engineering- focused campus is to be opened by Limerick Institute of Technology in a year’s time.

Planners insist “now is the time” to rubberstamp blue-prints for a new town on the outskirts of Cork City, warning the project founder they may “miss the boat” if the project is left until the economy improves.

Plans for the new dedicated children’s hospital in Dublin have been refused, it has been confirmed.

WHILE enjoying a relaxed Saturday morning's breakfast I almost choked on my rashers on noticing your piece (Irish Examiner, March 6) about the waste management company Indaver's plans to 'counter misinformation' with a new publicity campaign regarding their proposed hazardous and toxic waste incineration facility for Cork.

Cork County Council members are questioning the cost of a new design for the proposed Cork-Limerick motorway and the likely delay in securing planning, again, for the M20 route.

Cork will among 10 port authority companies who will be allowed to expand outside their own harbour under new legislation proposed by the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey.

Strict security arrangements, including access cards, CCTV and visiting restrictions, are part of the management plan for a new student apartment complex proposed for Limerick city.