THE Environmental Protection Agency has granted a licence for the country's first toxic waste incinerator, despite vehement opposition from environmental groups.

A leading greenway promoter has called for more joined-up thinking as plans progress for several such walking and cycling trails around the country.

A planning application to transform the State’s largest toxic waste dump into vast public parkland as part of a €40m clean-up is due to be lodged within weeks.

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.

DETAILED plans and Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) for a multi-million-euro road from Cork to Ringaskiddy are to be submitted to the board of the National Roads Authority (NRA) early next year.

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

HOME furnishings retailer IKEA will launch the first phase of its recruitment campaign for its Dublin store at the end of March with the announcement of more than 40 management positions.

ATHLONE Town Council will decide today if it is to give the green light to a major €150 million development that has met with strong local objection.

Plans by Irish President Mary McAleese to build a new lakeside home ran into opposition tonight.

THE general manager of a windfarm project on the Cork/Kerry border yesterday said he was confident that problems with TV reception in the area had been rectified.

A proposal to rezone sports land for an apartments scheme planned by a well-known Cork hurling club has been shot down.

Traders in Dublin city centre will have to pay €630 a year to use sandwich boards to promote their business.

Kerry County Council has begun to outline its application for a greenway cycle and walkway through small farms and towns along the old railway line skirting the N70 Ring of Kerry in south Kerry, which was announced in 2014, but which has still to be constructed.

A NEW €80 million private hospital is being proposed for Cork city centre.

THE Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday defended its deferral, for a second time, of a decision on a toxic waste incinerator in Cork Harbour.

ADDITIONAL State- owned land around the country is to be made available for affordable housing, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern confirmed yesterday.

THE High Court has ruled against the challenge brought by objectors to works on the M50 motorway on the site of Carrickmines Castle.