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Targets for greater energy efficiency in construction and renewable energy growth unveiled at Energy Forum, writes Jason Walsh

THE country's largest private waste collector claimed yesterday that a decision by Bord Pleanála to turn down its plans for a controversial €20 million superdump would only compound the waste crisis facing the Munster region.

A DEVELOPER who built 52 holiday homes close to the Rock of Cashel has been granted "retention planning permission" for 32 of the houses.

Developer Seymour Sweeney is appealing against the planning refusal for his controversial Giant's Causeway visitor centre scheme, it can be revealed today. The move opens the way for another round in one of the most high-profile battles ever waged in Northern Ireland's planning system.

Energy Saving Day was a flop, its organiser admitted last night after the National Grid confirmed that across Britain energy use went up by just over one per cent.

Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney has joined international experts to vehemently condemn plans by the Irish government to build a motorway through one of Ireland's most historically important areas. In his first broadcast interview on the controversy surrounding the M3 motorway that is already well under construction through the Tara Skreen valley, the Co Londonderry born poet condemned a "ruthless desecration" .

The push for a new environmental watchdog for Northern Ireland has received a timely boost with a string of high-profile individuals endorsing the demand.

COMPULSORY eco friendly light bulbs could end up poisoning Ireland's lakes and rivers when they are dumped, experts have warned.

People might think that John Gormley got a tough start as a government minister considering that he is a member of an extreme Green Party. The incinerator got permission in his own constituency. He also found himself joined with Fianna Fail, which also means an alignment with the builders. Hardly the stuff of the Greens. Then he had a stroke of luck with the Sliabh Aughty mountains. The greenest of the green. To look at it like that is actually a misjudgement.

Protecting our groundwater sources is a matter of top priority, Environment Minister John Gormley has said

ALTHOUGH the Irish Heritage Trust (IHT) got the all clear to take over Fota House and Gardens shortly before Christmas, Brian Cowen has attached very stringent conditions.

Dartmouth Square near Ranelagh, Dublin, which has been at the centre of disputes between Athlone businessman Noel O'Gara and Dublin City Council since 2006, has been granted special conservation status by the council.

A millionaire businessman today told the Belfast Telegraph how he hopes to build a £1bn nuclear power station in the province. Londonderry entrepreneur Robert Andrews - founder of the hi-tech Andronics satellite products company - said he is preparing an environmental impact study to see what effect a nuclear power station would have on the region.

The first public hearing to be conducted under a new fast-track planning process for major infrastructural developments will begin today.

A €500 million gas terminal at the Shannon estuary in Co Kerry is the first project to be advanced to An Bord Pleanála oral hearing stage under the new Strategic Infrastructure Act.

Bord Pleanala will begin an oral hearing in Clonmel tomorrow on a project which crystallises the national debate on how to dispose of or recycle waste.

A business consortium, Green Organics Energy Ltd (GOE), wants to build a facility for the "environmentally sustainable treatment" of waste, including animal by-products generated by the Irish meatprocessing industry.

Radical plans by the European Commission to cut carbon emissions are creating the first serious policy rift between Fianna Fail and the Green Party. The far-reaching plans emerge as efforts to combat climate change come into conflict with business and economic interests.

THE Mayor of Macroom delivered a sharp message to the visiting Minister for the Environment last week to fast-track through the new section of the proposed bypass road to replace a former section controversially declared a special area of conservation (SAC) by the Minister during the summer.

IRELAND'S 40 shades of green does not include the all-important "eco-green" and that is severely tarnishing its reputation with tourists according to travel bible, the Lonely Planet.

After 200 days of research by seven contributors including the main author, Fionn Davenport, the latest edition on Ireland, released yesterday, provides the usual mix of reviews, some complimentary others critical, of Ireland's main tourist hotspots.

Yet again Bundoran, Co Donegal, comes in for criticism. In 2006, the guide described it as "a kitsch assortment of half-baked fairground rides, flashing arcades, fast-food diners and overpriced B&Bs".

Ireland facing multiple EU punishments

ONE of Dublin's most popular beaches has lost its Blue Flag because of water contamination.

The row over the threatened demolition of 52 holiday homes overlooking the Rock of Cashel in Co Tipperary escalated yesterday when the builder accused the county council of a "blunder" which is putting 250 jobs at risk.

Dublin City Council says it has successfully concluded negotiations with its private sector partner for the construction of the controversial Poolbeg incinerator.

The environmentally friendly long life light bulb is a toxic time bomb, according to an environmental group.

PEOPLE in the picturesque village of Sneem, where Taoiseach Bertie Ahern holidays, are kicking up a stink over a foul smell believed to be coming from the local sewage system.

The Green Party has criticised remarks by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey that a proposed outer orbital route around Dublin would be environmentally justified.

Objectors to Dublin airport's expansion plans have reacted with dismay to An Bord Pleanála's decision to give the go-ahead to a new terminal and runway.

LIMERICK needs to be made into a lady again or the city is in danger of completely dying by 2020, leading planners, developers and business members have been warned.

ANGER with planning policies in Kerry is about to boil over, it was claimed yesterday.

Environment minister John Gormley has been told that incineration is vital to Ireland meeting its waste management targets.

THE planned demolition of the Lismullen national monument in Tara to make way for the M3 motorway is being investigated by the European Commission.