Barry Cowen made the comment during the first meeting of the new EU Housing Commission.
A Midlands MEP is describing the planning permission process in Ireland as 'simply criminal.'
Barry Cowen has also stated it's not a national competency of Ireland due to the various criteria in place.
It also follows the government missing its target of delivering 40,000 homes last year by over ten thousand homes
MEP Cowen says the court appeal system should be left out of it altogether:
Asthma Society of Ireland Hold Workshop In Laois This Weekend
"Time to Talk about Asthma" takes place in Laois Leisure Portlaoise tomorrow.
Laois TD Calls For Shorter Ambulance Deployment Distance
Brian Stanley says only having one ambulance on call in Laois is concerning.
Uisce Eireann Publish Shannon Pipeline Consultation Submissions Report
120 submissions have been made on the €6 billion project.
70% Of Farming Families Lack Succession Plan
Anew survey by Irish Country Living and IFAC also shows 61% of men farm compared to 28% of women.
Mental Health Charity Triple Counselling Sessions After Citywest Protests
CEO of Turn2Me Tullamore's Fiona O'Malley says such events can cause anxiety in communities.
Westmeath Library To Close For Three Months From Today
The library will re open on January 19th.
Drug Usage On The Rise In The Midlands
There's been an increase in problem drug use since 2017.
Over 80 Jobs At Risk In Westmeath Tech Plant
Circana in Athlone has reportedly notified staff of its intention to cut jobs.
Shannon Callows Farmers Demand Inclusion In Flood Management Group
Save Our Shannon Organisation say they should be included in the OPW'S working group for flooding solutions.
Offaly Teachers Win National STEM Award
Sacred Heart School's Sindy Meleady and Aisling Burke won the honour for the work with the 'Steminists' club.
Appeal Lodged Against 600 Acre Laois Solar Farm Project
TD's and Councillors in Laois are objecting to five land parcels being erected in Laois.
Government Funding To Benefit Midlands Historical Structures
Almost €500k was provided across the midlands last year.
Former GAA Referee Pleads Guilty To Indecent Assault
79 year old Thomas Howard appeared before Tullamore District Court yesterday.
Laois TD Warns EU Plans Threaten Irish Neutrality
An EU proposal seeks a fund for defence and innovation projects.
Almost One Million Cigarettes Seized In Offaly
The discovery was made following searches in Edenderry and Rhode.
Management Can Easily End Industrial Action - SIPTU
Workers at Carroll’s Cuisine in Tullamore are set to go on work stoppages next weekend over working conditions.
Westmeath Credit Union Manager Wins Lifetime Achievement Award
Mullingar branch manager Tom Allen picked up the honour at the CU Awards.
Midlands Readers Encouraged To Take Part in MS Readathon
The 2025 sprint to raise funds for MS Ireland takes place from November 1st.
Westmeath Town Strong Performer For Fibre Broadband
Mullingar is ranked as one of the best performing areas in the country for fibre adoption,
Ireland's Oldest Living Person With EB Publishes Autobiography
Abbeyleix's Emma Fogarty has released 'Being Emma' which tells the story of her life.
