Noteworthy

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IN THE DOCK: Why are unauthorised developments on the Shannon going unchallenged?

Shannon River

There are dozens of unauthorised developments on the River Shannon and its lakes, including full blown commercial developments that lack proper planning permission.

1 Backer raised €20 of €4420

Open

CAUTION TO THE WIND: Is renewable infrastructure on peatlands causing more harm than good?

Ireland

Wind energy is Ireland’s main renewable source but the location of farms on peatlands - a key carbon sink - is causing concern among scientists and nature groups.

23 Backers raised €1280 of €3785

Open

CLIFF EDGE: Why are parking prices at the Cliffs of Moher so steep?

Clare

With over a million visitors a year, the Cliffs of Moher remain one of Ireland’s busiest tourist attractions. But parking at the site has been contentious for decades.

4 Backers raised €60 of €1750

Open

DIGGING DEEP: Is Ireland being carved up for mineral exploration?

Ireland

Around 20% of the island of Ireland is licensed for mineral exploration, raising alarm with local communities about the impact of new mining operations.

10 Backers raised €215 of €3190

Open

PIPE DREAM: Is rural development being delayed by poor water infrastructure?

Ireland

Government policy to encourage development of rural towns and villages is being hit by underinvestment in water supply and wastewater infrastructure that is now limiting housing and business growth.

15 Backers raised €440 of €2200

Open

RACK AND RUIN: Why are our protected buildings falling into disrepair?

Ireland

Ireland is home to a wide variety of buildings protected due to their architectural, historical, archaeological and cultural importance.

13 Backers raised €370 of €2880

Open

HIGH RISE: Are councils accounting for the impact of sea level rise in planning decisions?

Ireland

As climate change takes hold in Ireland, storms, sea-level rise and acidification will become more intense, with coastal flooding and erosion further impacting our coastline.

9 Backers raised €550 of €3890

Open

BOTTOMLESS PIT: Why are some quarries operating outside planning laws?

Ireland

There are a spate of rules and regulations in place to ensure that quarries operate within the bounds of national and European law.

19 Backers raised €700 of €4290

Completed

BEATHA TEANGA: An bhfuil coinníollacha pleanála agus deonuithe á chur i bhfeidhm chun cinntiú go bhfásann ceantracha Gaeltachta?

Ireland

Tá líon na ndaoine a labhrann Gaeilge i gceantracha Gaeltachta ag titm, le níos lú ná aon cheathrú de mhuintir na háite ag labhairt Gaeilge go laethúil, dar leis an daonáireamh deirneach.

0 Backers raised €0 of €0

Completed

LIGHTS OUT: Why are we facing an Irish electricity crisis?

Ireland

As we face the climate crisis, a key strand of the State’s strategy to reduce our emissions is to electrify our energy, heat and transport systems using renewables such as wind and solar.

302 Backers raised €3125 of €2830

Completed

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.

39 Backers raised €1200 of €1200

Completed

WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE: How much did a controversial road scheme in Kilkenny City actually cost and has it delivered what it was supposed to?

Kilkenny

It was one of the most controversial road developments of recent years in Ireland, a plan to build a new bridge across the River Nore in Kilkenny.

46 Backers raised €1371 of €1350

Completed

THE CONSTRUCTION NETWORK: Connecting the dots between the government and lobbyists for developers and the construction industry

Ireland

From the nearly 1,900 lobbyists registered in Ireland, many lobby on behalf of the construction industry and property development companies keen to see the Irish property market expand.

128 Backers raised €3200 of €3200

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

SHORT-TERM LET, LONG-TERM PAIN: Why do councils struggle to put a stop to properties being used exclusively on sites like Airbnb?

National

Property owners can pull in hundreds of euro per night renting out homes as round-the-year accommodation on platforms like Airbnb and hotel booking sites, making similar amounts in a week to what they could otherwise expect to receive in a month or more from a long-term tenant.

5 Backers raised €800 of €800

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

Completed

SINK OR SWIM: How could an historic sea baths get renovated yet remain closed to swimmers for six months each year?

Dublin

It cost €2.4 million to refurbish with local residents hoping that their long-closed sea water swimming baths would finally re-open to the public.

4 Backers raised €503 of €500

Completed

SELLING THE FAMILY SILVER: Dublin City Council's plans to 'consolidate' 33 valuable depot sites.

Dublin

Across Dublin city, there are a network of 33 council depot sites – many of them located on prime development land.

4 Backers raised €100 of €100