The proposed terms included Fitzwilliam buying the IKC centre for €4 million after three years if the company was not successful in obtaining planning permission and buying it for €6 million if it did receive planning permission.

Company made submission to council suggesting it was acting ‘on behalf of’ club

The halt to discussions on grid connections comes months after IDA Ireland warned questions over electricity supply were ‘unhelpful’ in marketing  the State.

State-owned grid manager stops enticing access-seekers amid power supply fears

The Office of the Planning Regulator has issued binding recommendations to Fingal council to tackle ‘clear breaches’ of legislation in a draft plan. File photograph: Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images

‘Bad bank’ urges local authority to abandon moves to delay developing Dunsink lands

Arthur Cox’s building on Hatch Street/ Earlsfort Terrace Corner: At first, Arthur Cox said a dual role meant it could not act for Siteserv or Island in any legal dispute between them. Photograph: Alan Betson

Law firm’s dual role with deal’s parties came despite ‘instinctive’ reservations

The Arthur Cox building on the Hatch Street/Earlsfort Terrace corner: The solicitors had been adviser to Siteserv since it joined the stock market in 2006. Photograph: Alan Betson

Solicitor firm acted on both sides of Siteserv deal despite ‘instinctive’ reservations

Michael Bailey

Order and Michael Bailey want to progress housing developments on adjoining lands

Businessman Denis O’Brien. Photograph: Collins

Draft report finds businessman did not act inappropriately in respect of €1.7m debt

 Denis O’Brien:   Mr Justice Brian Cregan found no evidence of “improper or unduly close” relationships   between Mr O’Brien and Richard Woodhouse, who handled IBRC’s dealings with the businessman. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Draft final report on Siteserv affair says IBRC executives worked ‘honestly and diligently’

 Lengthy  draft says the decision to negotiate only with Denis O’Brien was pivotal to the Siteserv sale process and conferred a significant advantage to him. Photograph: Collins Courts

Denis O’Brien’s offer won out despite the prospect of a higher price from a rival bidder

Brian Harvey ‘put his own personal financial interests ahead of the interests of the company and its main creditor, the bank,’ said  Mr Justice Brian Cregan in draft conclusions

Key witnesses given two months to respond to commission of inquiry’s conclusions

Siteserv, heavily indebted to the IBRC, was sold to Millington, owned by Denis O’Brien, for €45 million in 2012. Photograph; Dara Mac Dónaill / The Irish Times

High Court judge criticises ‘below the surface’ process and large bonus payouts

It can be an offence for members of An Bord Pleanála not to declare a beneficial interest in a decision.

Minister for Housing published terms of reference for barrister investigating the work of Paul Hyde

 An Bord Pleanála: There is doubt and scepticism at Paul Hyde’s explanations for not declaring any conflict in his sister-in-law’s appeal about a Dublin 4 house she owns with her husband, Stefan Hyde, Paul’s brother. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

An Bord Pleanála deputy chairman held key role at time of housing demand and shortage

Paul Hyde, deputy chairman of An Bord Pleanála,  signed off on permission for works at a house owned by his brother Stefan Hyde and Stefan’s wife Caroline Barron but insisted he did not know the cased centred on their Sandymount property.

Paul Hyde temporarily vacates role as unease grows around undeclared conflict of interest

Paul Hyde, deputy chairman of An Bord Pleanála: understood to be arguing no conflict of interest was declared because he did not know an appeal concerned his brother Stefan’s property.

Paul Hyde disclosure follows claims of impropriety over house co-owned by brother

An Bord Pleanála has declined to specify how many planning cases Mr Hyde is scrutinising at present. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Paul Hyde at centre of storm with potentially big implications for quasi-judicial body

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien this week ordered a senior counsel’s examination of the allegations. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Audit of hundreds of decisions follows allegations of impropriety in declarations

Simon Coveney: The chief executive of Origin Sports, which ran the venue-selection process for the rights holders,  is known on a personal basis to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is himself a keen sailor.  Photograph: Alan Betson

Officials expressed anxiety at ‘significant costs’ of proposal championed by Coveney

St Vincent’s Healthcare Group chairman James Menton said: ‘Today is very significant for St Vincent’s Healthcare Group and for Ireland’s healthcare sector.’

Religious Sisters of Charity transfers ownership of Elm Park land to trust

Aidan Phelan was a central figure in the  investigation that led the tribunal to find that  Michael Lowry ‘secured the winning’ of the 1995 mobile phone licence for Denis O’Brien’s Esat Digifone. Photograph: Cyril Byrne

Businessman named one of seven people who engaged in ‘active concealment’

The clash with big tech is sensitive politically for the Government. Photograph: iStock

Bill would allow criminal sanctions for breaches of new social media safety rules

A radical plan by architects, engineers and designers future proofs Galway as a liveable city by 2070

Minister for Finance  Paschal Donohoe insisted the economy would still grow, but at a significantly lower than for many years, if war sanctions stopped the stable supply of oil. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Government sets aside extra €3bn to cover cost of sheltering refugees from Ukraine

Minister of State for local government Peter Burke has been asked to issue formal directions to the council compelling it to take action over breaches of  recommendations.  Photograph: Tom Honan

Planning regulators say it is an ‘unnecessary restriction on sustainable development’

Aughinish Alumina on the Shannon estuary near Askeaton, Co Limerick. Photograph Liam Burke, Press 22

European sanctions spur talks on separating Aughinish from Rusal

Siterserv was sold to the Denis O’Brien-owned Millington for €45 million in 2012. Photograph: Collins

Mr Justice Brian Cregan investigating sale of building services group to Denis O’Brien

Builders have been rocked by double-digit increases in the price of concrete, metal, timber and piping, as well as the jump in energy costs. Photograph: iStock

Report for Transport Infrastructure Ireland finds ‘significant financial pressures’ on contractors

The Aughinish Alumina refinery on the Shannon Estuary near Foynes, Co Limerick, is politically sensitive for the Government because it employs more than 400 workers. File photograph: The Irish Times

Pressure on Limerick-based firm mounts as punitive measures loom against key shareholder

 Delaying the scheduled closure of the coal-fired power station at Moneypoint is among the measures under consideration. Photograph: Neil Warner

Russia’s war will blunt climate efforts as priority will be to ensure adequate supplies

A Government energy security review, due this summer, is likely to list the possibility of State-owned liquefied natural gas storage being developed to facilitate the delivery of reserve supplies. Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Concern energy situation could spiral beyond control if war in Ukraine not settled

Billionaire Denis O’Brien. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Several witnesses said to have questioned preliminary findings in formal submissions

A liquefied natural gas storage facility. Government policy is opposed to imports of fracked gas, but the invasion of Ukraine has changed the European debate on energy. File photograph: Getty

US backers of proposed Shannon Estuary project try to rally support ahead of planning ruling

Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin is to chair a citizens’ assembly on biodiversity loss. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Assembly topics will focus on an elected mayor for Dublin and biodiversity loss

The Aughinish Alumina plant  on the Shannon estuary near Foynes, Co Limerick. It employs more than 400 workers and had payroll costs of €48.9m in 2020

Concerns sanctions against Russian owners could jeopardise Limerick operations

The Dominican College at Muckross Park in Donnybrook, Dublin 4:  the Muckross Park House site is next to and shares an entrance with Muckross Park College. Photograph: Matt Kavanagh

Muckross Park House site is next to and shares entrance with Muckross Park College

Some areas of Dalkey and Killiney (above) have been identified as areas where no increase in the number of residential buildings will normally be permitted, something the regulator said was an ‘unnecessary restriction on sustainable development’. Photograph: Tom Honan for The Irish Times

Move may ultimately require intervention by Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien

Playwright and actor Harold Pinter; his grandfather was a refugee from Ukraine. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

Slaughter in Ukraine sent me back to poems Pinter wrote about US-led invasion of Iraq

The practical questions are considerable, politically tricky and encompass far more than providing a budget for the mayor and staff. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Government would have to surrender power to this elected official, but will this happen?

Anne Hidalgo was elected mayor of Paris in 2014. Amsterdam and the French capital are cited as effective European mayoralties Photograph: Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images

And what can be done if the office-holder is making a mess of the post?

Moves by Arthur Cox, one of Ireland’s largest solicitors firms, come as pressure piles on global business to sever links with Russia

AIB takes action to sever ties with lender to Kremlin-linked oil giant Rosneft

‘We are appalled by the horrific scenes in Ukraine and condemn the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which has prompted a review of all existing and any new Russia-related work,’ Arthur Cox has said. Photograph: Alan Betson

Law firm’s roster included some groups targeted by international sanctions

Mr Varadkar said while Ireland was militarily neutral, ‘in this conflict Ireland is not neutral at all’ Photograph: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

Varadkar said the government will ‘fully support’ sanctions against Russia

Senior medical figures   say that concerns raised about the new hospital on the St Vincent’s campus at Elm Park being ‘curtailed by any religious ethos are misleading and ill-informed’.   Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Senior figures say all procedures allowed under law to be provided at maternity hospital

Cycling Ireland said the departures ‘will leave sufficient board members to enable the board to be re-constituted’.  Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Dispute erupted after body admitted using ‘false quotations’ in 2020 claim for State grant

The owner of the Shelbourne Park greyhound racing track wants to develop the Dublin 4 site for housing. File photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho

Move on Dublin 4 track site potentially threatens future of sport in the capital

 Facebook  owner Meta has already threatened to pull its websites from Europe. Photograph:  Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

Wide-ranging privacy case has already led to threats from social media giant

Frontline healthcare workers protest outside the St Mary’s and Caritas centres on Merrion Road in September 2020. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Order controversially closed St Mary’s and Caritas care centres in 2020

The archdiocese said not much time had passed since the Minister for Housing asked the Irish episcopal conference “to cooperate” in addressing the housing crisis. File photograph: Getty Images

Statement says the proposed zoning change would unfairly restrict options

Major developers call into question the potential to deliver the scale of new homes needed to tackle the housing crisis. Photograph: iStock

Calls for proposed curbs on build-to-rent apartments schemes to be scrapped

Main avenue entrance to Terenure College grounds: The push to rezone some lands for housing follows the 2018 closure of the private junior school.

Terenure College says land holdings ‘far in excess’ of secondary school’s needs

The trade group for Dublin publicans has urged city planners to allow some of the group’s valuable land at Ballsbridge to be for used for housing.  File photograph: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Licensed Vintners Association attempts to rezone part of its Ballsbridge site for fourth time

The intervention by the archdiocese can be seen an effort to preserve the potential value of church lands that might later be sold for housing.  Photograph: Alan Betson

Amid property boom and shrinking congregation, zoning change may be a long-term play

The properties listed in the submission from the archdiocese include Our Lady of Good Council Church in Drimnagh. Photograph: Courtesy Mourne Road Parish

Properties listed in 130-page submission from Catholic Archdiocese include 33 churches

A Cycling Ireland spokesman declined to comment about the departures, the resignation letter or any other aspect of the divisions in the body. Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Resignations come as cycling body submits letter on board turmoil to Sport Ireland

A Cycling Ireland spokesman said the organisation was ‘in the process of submitting a letter’ to Sport Ireland. Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Cycling organisation promises to provide letter to State supervisor this week

The demand for Dublin port ‘to move on’ from its current location was set in a planning submission to Dublin City Council by the Docklands Business Forum, a body comprising 200 local companies

More than 200 hectares of port land could be better used for housing and offices, firms say

Cycling Ireland Senior Track National Championships, Dublin, 2020. File photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

President Liam Collins had issued a public statement calling for board resignations

Coalition sources said there would be focus on actions that could reduce Government-controlled costs.

Employers brace for pay claims as Ictu says it will advise members to seek 5.5% raise

Opposition TDs said they wanted to see the full details of the deal and expressed scepticism that the issues related to the new hospital will be resolved.

Permit for new hospital to include measures requiring provision of all medical procedures

A Cycling Ireland spokesman said ‘yes’ when asked whether the body would appear before the committee if called. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

‘False quotations’ to claim grant raises sharp questions on body’s governance, says TD

Cycling Ireland: in the five years to 2020 the organisation received €9.92 million in public funding from organisations. Photograph: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Claim for €52,100 grant set in train events that led to an unsparing audit

Cycling Ireland said the case led to it being prohibited for 12 months from applying for sports capital grants. But it could not quantity the impact, if any, as such awards were discretionary. Photograph: iStock

Move led Department of Sport to suspend body’s access to capital funding for 12 months

The currency centre in Sandyford retains the facility to mint euro coin at the site

Land Development Agency preparing list of public lands suitable for housing

Minister of State for Enterprise Robert Troy  intends to publish PIAB reform measures ‘once Government approval is received’. Photograph: Alan Betson

Insurance campaigners claim mediation would prolong disputes and increase costs

An Garda Síochána said the volume of criminal offences reported returned to pre-pandemic levels in the second half of last year. Photograph:  Gareth Chaney/ Collins

Garda stats suggest crime rates returned to pre-pandemic levels in second six months

“Employers must not have the option of simply turning down requests on spurious or vague grounds,” says Kevin Callinan, Fórsa general secretary

Efforts at legal clarity around changed world of work appear to favour employers

The old Dundrum shopping centre: Property group Hammerson and insurer Allianz have been in talks with An Bord Pleanála to build up to 889 apartments on the site. Photograph: Tom Honan

Calls for county council to scrap requirements for three-plus bedroom units

Connecting the residences of 1.1 million people, 54,000 farms and 44,000 businesses in a system that will be seen on virtually every metre of every rural road. Photograph: iStock

State rollout of high-speed internet could reverse generations of rural depopulation

Some Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backbenchers, arguing the worst of the Omicron variant surge has passed, are calling for immediate steps to extend the 8pm closing time for pubs and restaurants. Photograph: Getty

Government facing battle with own TDs to keep restrictions for another fortnight

‘You have some really good, top-class people in Taoiseach, Finance, Foreign Affairs and [Public Expenditure and Reform],’ says one close observer. Photograph: Frank Miller

Ex-ministers variously see it as professional and honest, sluggish and conservative

The lack of younger workers is explained by the post-2008 recruitments bans. Photograph: iStock

Women held almost 60% of top roles in public sector in 2020

Savills says market demand for homes of more than two bedrooms is “very much” focused on houses as opposed to apartments in suburban locations. Photograph:  David Davies/PA

Move to units with more storage and parking criticised on grounds of ‘limited demand’

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s new planning guidelines call for more three-bedroom apartments, and greater storage space and parking.   Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe

Stipulation for three-bed units and services, and possible build-to-rent curbs trigger ire

The Government pledged in the Housing for All plan to strengthen the scheme with the aim of completing an average of 1,000 cases every year. Photograph: iStock

Move will allow people living in higher value houses and more older people to take part

In a significant departure from established practice, sitting judges will have to undertake training and continuous professional development programmes to advance to upper courts. Photograph: iStock

New requirements part of sweeping overhaul of rules for judicial appointments

Auctioneer James O’Halloran with James Adam & Sons on  St Stephen’s Green, Dublin. ‘The requirements are becoming more onerous.’ Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill

Irish art dealers have been put on notice they must take measures to ensure their business is not being used by criminals

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee: ‘we must always be alive to potential threats and avenues which could be used for money laundering and the financing of terrorism.’  Photograph: Tom Honan

Department of Justice is acting under new laws to intensify regulatory inspections of art traders and intermediaries

Conor Gallagher: ‘It’s a huge repository of information.’

Institution’s first function was to fix rents that were binding on landlord and tenant

Conor Gallagher, keeper of the Land Commission files and legal adviser to the Department of Agriculture, at the warehouse in Portlaoise where the commission’s records, eight to 12 million of them, are kept. He is holding a wax-sealed 17th century vellum charter from King Charles II that granted lands in Co Kerry to an English nobleman. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien

Tentative steps being taken to open up Land Commission’s vast files to public

Irish-language translator in European Commission Tomaí Ó Conghaile: “Back in Ireland, sometimes certain people might have hang-ups about the language . . . Most Europeans are very interested and curious.”  Photograph: Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press

Increasing quantity of EU documents being translated into Irish. But who will read them?

The State’s inward investment agency served High Court papers on Tuesday. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien

Case stems from a FoI request from journalist Ken Foxe for a 100-page client survey

Taoiseach Micheál Martin had defended the party’s use of a District Court-issued licence to carry out the draw. Photograph: Julien Behal Photography

Party says it is making arrangements to refund subscribers who already bought tickets

The new NVRL laboratory in Backweston, Co Kildare is set up to process 3,000-4,000 Covid tests every day with a 24-hour turnaround. Photograph: Enda O’Dowd

At the Backweston lab near Celbridge, testing has reached a new peak as Omicron arrives

The SHD laws took force in 2017 in a bid to speed up the delivery of new homes with direct applications to the planning appeals board. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

Developers seek talks with An Bord Pleanála on dozens of large projects

The price of microgeneration power will be determined by market forces, under measures cast as an interim solution in anticipation of an enduring policy being finalised by December 2022. ‘

New system to encourage ‘microgeneration’ to be phased in under regulator plan

Travel restrictions have been reintroduced in a push to contain a new strain of Covid. File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

Pfizer indicates it can produce a vaccine against the variant in about 100 days

'Commercial routes out of South Africa and the region remain open, but busy,' said the Department of Foreign Affairs, adding that it has received many calls about entry rules for people intending to fly back to Ireland. Photograph: Getty Images

Foreign Affairs says commercial flights from South Africa and neighbouring countries ‘remain open but busy’

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has set aside €55m to help councils buy homes off-plan next year in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Galway and Kilkenny. Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe

Move aims to boost supply of affordable and social houses sold at discount to first-timers

The new terms for grid access have been set in response to increasing constraints on the power network, amid surging demand from data centres. Photograph: iStock

Terms will compel operators to provide their own emergency power

Google data centre: Grid connections will in future be determined by ability to bring on “site dispatchable” power – gas-fired electricity that can be used on demand and deployed at the request of grid operators – or power storage mechanisms.

Regulator to impose conditions on grid connection for big technology companies

Ireland’s aviation sector may require more State pandemic supports next year, Government officials have forecast in a spending review.  File photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

New spending review says airport traffic levels unlikely to recover until 2025

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall is to table a Bill seeking a referendum to remove the presidential oath to ‘almighty God’ from the Constitution. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times

Social Democrats co-leader to table Bill on the matter after European ruling

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall. File photograph: Nick Bradshaw

Setback for Róisín Shortall and others seeking to remove reference from the Constitution

Cocaine use has risen by more than 10,000% in 25 years in the State, CityWide has said. File photograph: Getty Images

CityWide group calls for Taoiseach to intervene as it notes cocaine use has risen by 10,000%

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