Noteworthy

Explore the stories that matter to you ...

New

SOLVING SOLAR: Why are we not putting solar panels on the roof of every home in Ireland?

Ireland

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels use energy from the sun to create electricity. The price of these panels has dropped significantly over the past number of decades, so what is stopping households from installing them?

0 Backers raised €0 of €750

Open

DERELICTION OF DUTY: How successful has the new vacant sites levy been in freeing up land for housing development around Ireland?

Ireland

It is one of the key planks of a government strategy to free up land for much-needed housing development. The vacant sites levy allows local authorities create a register of disused or derelict lands in their area. The owners of those lands would be charged an annual levy, first of 3% and then beginning next year 7% of the value of the land.

1 Backer raised €15 of €1500

Open

DEAD END: Will Galway’s long promised ring road make a significant difference to traffic congestion in the city?

Galway

It was 1999 when a bypass was first proposed for the city of Galway. Since then, traffic congestion has grown ever worse and long delays have become a feature of daily life for those who live and work there. For a relatively compact city, congestion is far worse than might be expected, not least because public transport options are so limited.

10 Backers raised €325 of €1200

Open

SOMETHING IN THE AIR: Is air pollution getting worse around Ireland and what’s behind it?

Ireland

In the 1980s, Dublin choked beneath a cloud of smog with pollution seven times higher than the levels considered dangerous by the World Health Organisation.

3 Backers raised €70 of €1350

Open

DATA CRUNCH: Should high energy-consuming data centres remain a key plank of Ireland’s development strategy?

Ireland

The development of data centres is a key part of the government’s strategy for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland.

1 Backer raised €50 of €1500

Open

LYING IDLE - PART TWO: A deeper dive into how many state properties around the country are lying vacant.

National

In Part One of this series, we looked at the near one hundred properties owned by the Office of Public Works that are currently lying idle around the country.

0 Backers raised €0 of €1200

Completed

LYING IDLE: How many state properties are lying vacant around the country.

Ireland

The Office of Public Works manages over 2,500 properties around Ireland on behalf of the state.

9 Backers raised €360 of €350

Completed

SEPTIC SWIM: Is enough being done to keep Dublin Bay safe for swimmers this summer?

Dublin

Effluent leaks have resulted in pollution incidents along the eastern coastline at least twice so far this year - and bathing restrictions were put in place at popular Dublin beaches.

2 Backers raised €400 of €400

Open

CUT DOWN TO SIZE: Why are Ireland's local authorities so keen to chop down trees?

Ireland

Across Ireland, locals have been dismayed to see trees and bushes chopped down by public bodies.

34 Backers raised €815 of €1100

Completed

NOT SO FAST: Strategic Housing Development speeds up planning process for developers but is it helping increase the supply of accommodation?

Ireland

In June 2017, Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy introduced a new system of fast-track planning for housing developments.

2 Backers raised €404 of €400