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.

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 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.

AN BORD Pleanála has given the green light for work to begin on the long-awaited Waterford to Kilcullen dual carriageway, despite close to 20 major objections from land and home owners.

MOVES to build a private hospital and to relocate the Enable Ireland services in Cork city took a significant step forward yesterday.

The outcome of the Bord Pleanála decision on the proposed incinerator at Ringaskiddy, which gave approval to Indaver Ireland to proceed with the country’s first toxic waste plant, is a perplexing one.

HITTING an international market with a world-class property bristling with security features on the day the US attacked Iraq may be a blow to the best-laid sales plans of the French owners of an Irish mansion.

A PERIOD home in Clonakilty, Co Cork, has character and aspect - and a half-acre site with development potential that underpins its €1m asking price with local agent Ray O’Neill, of the Sherry Fitzgerald franchise.

AND they’re off. The first new homes launch of 2005 around Cork city is a batch of just under 100 homes at Ashmount Court, Silversprings.

REVENUES at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) increased by 12% to €10.7 million last year, the society said yesterday.

THERE are no plans to toll the major new dual carriageway link between Waterford and Kilcullen, according to those behind the project.

THE National Roads Authority has denied protestors’ claims of victory after archaeologists resumed work on the controversial Carrickmines Castle site.

THE Progressive Democrats insisted yesterday there was no Cabinet split between Tánaiste Mary Harney and Justice Minister Michael McDowell on the Government’s incineration policy.

AS we approach the EPA’s oral hearing on the Indaver incinerator licence, on Monday, it is interesting to note last Monday’s debate on incineration at the Cork School of Culture, Chríost Rí.

THERE was a strong garda presence at the Old Head of Kinsale golf course yesterday where, despite inclement weather, the Cork Anti-War Campaign and Workers’ Solidarity hosted a peace picnic protest.

CLOSE to 300 submissions have been made to An Bord Pleanála on the new Waterford to Kilcullen dual carriageway - more than twice the anticipated tally.

THE Government is hoping to speed up and save money on multi-billion euro transport projects following the introduction of a planning infrastructure bill.