Caroline O'Doherty

Details of the sites chosen for a cluster of powerful offshore wind farms off the south coast have been revealed in a move by the Government to dictate to energy companies where such developments may take place.

Almost half of household septic tanks checked last year failed inspection, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said.

Half of Irish adults will not change what they eat or how much they drive to help combat climate change, new research suggests.

The Government’s climate advisers have warned more wind and solar farms must be built urgently to meet the need for clean electricity.

Only 61 householders whose homes were damaged by defective blocks have received full remediation grants seven years after government committed to resolving the problem.

Swimmers were warned away from beaches 273 times last summer because of pollution or potential pollution fears.