An Offaly Senator succeeded this week in getting her Bill through the Dail.
The Government is denying the new forestry bill will allow them to influence licencing appeals.
Junior Agriculture Minister Pippa Hackett says they'll only be able to guide the Licencing Committee about the type of case to prioritise.
An Taisce had raised this concern, along with the cost of appeals, in a public consultation - but the Offaly Senator succeeded this week in getting her Bill through the Dail:
€18k Made Available To Fund Midlands Age And Opportunity Programme
The funding is part of an overall €7.4m from the Active National Grant
Housing Minister Predicts Falling Midlands Homelessness
Daragh O'Brien was in Portlaoise yesterday.
€200,000 In Cash And Substantial Amount Of Drugs Seized In Laois
A man and a woman have been arrested.
Massive Laois Operation Leads To Multiple Arrests In Connection With Stolen Vehicles
10 suspects were identified in December.
Over 300 New Dwellings Completed In The Midlands This Year
Nationally, there was a decrease of 12% on the same period last year.
Concerns Raised Over Emergency Power Plant In The Midlands
The project is expected to be completed in the near future.
National Ploughing Association Appoints New President, Chair And Vice-Chair
Five new appointees were announced today.
Offaly Boy 'Raring To Go' After Life-Saving Procedure
Joey Conway and his family travelled to the US for the surgery.
Over €7m In Just Transition Funding For The Midlands
€18m is being provided nationally across 15 projects.
Cancer Numbers Could Double By 2045 - Offaly Charity
Dóchas is calling on additional investment from Government.
First-Ever Laois Cost-Rental Homes Officially Opened
The Housing Minister was in Laois today to open the units.
Late Laois Two-Year-Old's Organs Used To Save Three Children
Hannah Kealy's mum is asking people to consider donating their organs.
State Expects To Exceed 2023 Midlands Housing Delivery
Just over 1,800 homes were built in the region last year.
Abolishment Of Carer's Means Test May Be Halted By "Permanent Government"
A motion has been put forward to replace test with a system based solely on needs of care.
Ryanair Calling On EU To Protect Flights Amid French Air Strikes
2,000 European flights have been cancelled today.
Low Cost Home Heating Loans The Final Piece Of Retrofitting Jigsaw - Pippa Hackett
Home owners can borrow money at low interest rates to make the home more energy efficient.
Gardaí Advising Motorists To Avoid Midlands Road
Emergency services are at the scene.
Drugs Are Being Drone-Dropped Into Midlands Prison
Prison Officers are calling for anti-drone technology.
Laois County Council Votes To Adopt New Local Area Plan
The new plan covers the needs of the mobility impaired as well as housing for students in SETU.
100k Children Missed Out On Dental School Screening In 2023
The dental workforce has declined by over a fifth in the last 17 years.
