Councils urged to get tougher on water pollution and smoky fuels as EPA says more enforcement needed

Projects aim to show how ‘no net loss’ of biodiversity can become the norm in the built environment

There will be frequent showers over the weekend

Housing committee heard of difficulties bringing buildings back into use to ease homelessness

Review of Ireland’s most severe storm found lives were protected but aftermath was hard

Expert says prevention measures, that could include alert system and more surveillance, need to be stepped up

Stress added by poor sewage control and interference with river structures

Advisers want conditions added to planning laws to conserve and enhance biodiversity

Agriculture, sewage, chemicals and physical damage all threatening nature’s waterways

Dublin-Cork trains to double at peak hours within three to five years, with objective of clipping journey times

In the absence of ‘real deterrents’, penalties amount only to ‘slap on the wrist’, says Sinn Féin MEP

Environmental Protection Agency warns Uisce Éireann of prosecution for failures

Climate merited just two fleeting references in Finance Minister’s 45-minute speech

Darragh O’Brien says he does not believe Ireland will face fines of up to €26 billion

Coalition also criticised by business group for proposed alternative to levy