Noteworthy

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PIPE DREAM: Are delays in water infrastructure upgrades holding up rural development?

Ireland

It is government policy to encourage development of rural towns and villages due to the environmental, climate and social benefits for society including people living close to services, reducing car dependency and strengthening local communities.

11 Backers raised €370 of €2200

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WASH IT DOWN: Is Ireland’s pharma industry waste helping the spread of superbugs?

Ireland

Superbugs - microbes resistant to most drugs - are "one of the biggest threats to global health", according to the WHO. But how are they developing this resistance?

1 Backer raised €20 of €3430

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WHAT THE FRACK: Is there a renewed risk of fracking on the island of Ireland?

Ireland

In July 2017, Ireland became one of only a handful of countries in the world to ban fracking - the controversial technique used to extract natural gas from areas rich in shale rock.

9 Backers raised €182 of €2390

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BREAKING THE BANKS: Are Irish riverside habitats under threat from over-maintenance?

Ireland

Clearing of vegetation from waterways is a regular occurrence across the country as part of the mandated maintenance of over 11,500km of channels and 800km of embankments.

82 Backers raised €3130 of €3100

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SHORED UP: Can our laws catch up with the commercial use of our coasts?

Ireland

In recent years, Ireland's coastal areas have seen an upsurge in plans for commercial activities - from offshore wind farms to industrial-scale seaweed harvesting.

5 Backers raised €130 of €2550

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SOAKED UP: Are lax rules on water extraction affecting our local water supplies?

Ireland

Water is taken from our rivers, lakes and groundwater in large volumes by the private sector, including water bottling companies and agri-food companies, and recreational businesses such as golf clubs.

20 Backers raised €565 of €2640

Completed

TROUBLED WATERS: Are salmon fish farms harming our marine ecosystem?

Ireland

The fish farming industry is in a phase of rapid growth; it overtook global beef production in 2012.

43 Backers raised €2400 of €2400

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RED FLAG: Is swimming off Ireland's coast under threat from pollution?

Ireland

While almost 80% of our bathing water was classed as excellent in 2021, a wave of swimming bans have hit beaches across the country in recent years due to water quality issues linked to pollution problems and our changing climate.

39 Backers raised €905 of €2600

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

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