Transport Foley under fire over answers to Dáil questions on school transport schemeIndependent TD Michael Fitzmaurice hits out at ‘failure’ to adequately answer questions on money transfers from Bus Éireann to her department
Energy New ‘second carbon tax’ will add 10 per cent to energy billsEnergy companies will have to provide a certain volume of more expensive biogas to customers who are continuing to use fossil fuels like oil and gas
Politics ‘The Greens believe in something. I might not agree, but I commend them’ - Michael Fitzmaurice on his rural partyThe Roscommon-Galway TD confirmed it was still his intention to set up a rural people’s party by year-end
Climate & Environment Daniel Murray: Being anti-green and populist are central to new rural party’s identityIt’s nearly 60 years since Clann na Talmhan was dissolved but there could be up to three new rural blocs contesting the next general election
Agriculture Over 70% of farmers would vote for a new farmers’ political party - surveyNew research shows growing discontent in rural Ireland towards the mainstream political parties
Politics Analysis: Inspired by the Greens in government, Fitzmaurice mulls new farmers party The Independent Roscommon-Galway TD this week said he was interested in forming a new political party focusing on rural and farming issues
Energy Businesses get less than €4m from €200m support schemeApplications from manufacturers were held up by delay in Department of Public Expenditure approval which was finally agreed last week
Climate & Environment Warning as Coillte seeks funds to buy up farmland for large-scale tree plantingInvestors would be able to claim forestry grants in exchange for €2 billion backing for agency to reach 100,000-hectare target
Energy SEAI tighter grant scheme leaves lower-income households out in the coldHomeowners now face €4,000 insulation costs upfront rather than having builder claim back grant for them, meaning many can’t afford to do work
ESB takes Galway wind farm offline after planning is deniedA peat landslide was triggered by the building of the 60-megawatt project, resulting in ongoing €17 million EU fines for environmental damage
New bill to encourage builders to recycle demolition wasteThe Circular Economy Bill will impose levy on disposal and speed up approval process for reusing existing soil, stone and concrete