The European Parliament's environment committee has called on the European Commission to distribute lists of member states that fail to properly implement EU legislation on waste, water and nature protection, arguing that the situation had become "absurd".

Dublin jarveys will soon have to provide 'nappies' for their horses as part of new bye-laws for the city.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley TD has published details of legislation to provide for a directly elected Mayor for the Dublin region.

In Northern Ireland, local government reform reached a major milestone last week when a key piece of legislation was passed by the Assembly.

The Foreshore and Dumping at Sea (Amendment) Act 2009 amends the Dumping at Sea Acts 1996 to 2006, so that certain functions relating to dumping at sea are transferred from the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The High Court has reserved judgment in a challenge brought by a group of jarvey drivers to ban them from driving through Killarney National Park unless they agree to attach dung-catchers to their horse-drawn carriages.

Dog-free zones, fines of up to £500 for noisy pubs and designated areas where handing out advertising literature is banned are among a planned raft of new by-laws to equip Ulster’s councils to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has introduced the Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 to the Seanad.

Natural Resources Minister Eamon Ryan has presented the Petroleum (Exploration and Extraction) Safety Bill 2010 to the Oireachtas.

The UK Environment Agency has been given new powers to punish polluters without applying to the Courts first.