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Thursday 21 September 2023 Dublin: 12°C

# noteworthy

All time
Licensed to Fail: ‘Outdated’ salmon farm licensing system comes under fire from all sides
A report by
Niall Sargent
Noteworthy reveals internal concerns the Department of the Marine did not take sufficiently tough action over potential licence breaches by Ireland’s largest salmon operator.
Over 20 salmon farms operating with expired licences for over a decade, writes Niall Sargent in final part of Noteworthy investigation into salmon farming
State has investigated several cases of possible licence breaches by Ireland's largest salmon company
No enforcement over various farms’ failure to carry out assessments for impacts on marine biodiversity
Lice, infectious disease and taking reef fish: The impact of salmon farms on marine biodiversity
State issues licences to salmon farms to cull protected seals, documents reveal
Lice, infectious disease and taking reef fish: The impact of salmon farms on marine biodiversity
Noteworthy investigation reveals concerns over State monitoring of potential environmental impacts of salmon farms from sea lice, disease and farm escapes.
State holds limited details on disease outbreaks and mortality rates at salmon farms, reports Niall Sargent of Noteworthy, our investigative platform
Little regulation of wild wrasse fishing for use as cleaner fish on farms despite potential marine impacts
Experts warn Ireland lacks baseline data to effectively monitor for salmon farm escapes
State issues licences to salmon farms to cull protected seals, documents reveal
A report by
Niall Sargent
Noteworthy investigation shows that at least two grey seals and three common seals were killed after licences were issued.
Since 2015, the NPWS granted 11 licences to farms to shoot small numbers of the protected species, reports Niall Sargent in the first part of Noteworthy's investigation into the salmon industry
Conservation groups have expressed shock at the decision and a lack of scientific evidence behind culling
The NPWS does not generally carry out site visits to monitor cull events due to 'resourcing issues'
Religion in schools: 'My son was upset - a friend told him he wasn't going to heaven'
Noteworthy gathers the experiences of parents and educators in Ireland’s majority Catholic primary education system.
In part two of a deep dive into the stalemate in providing choice in primary education, Peter McGuire hears from parents and teachers.
Families speak of being forced into Catholic schools because of hours-long daily commutes to 'nearest' multi-denominational.
While 'opting out' of religious instruction is facilitated by many schools, many parents say their children feel isolated and upset.
State on a go-slow in moving primary education from majority Catholic grip
Noteworthy spotlights a lack of coherence, communication and progress in the State promise to provide 400 multi-denominational primary schools by 2030.
In this first of a two-part deep dive into the promised creation of better educational choice, Peter McGuire finds a process in paralysis.
Just 13 multi-denominational schools have been established under divestment Catholic schools in the past 8 years.
Completed reports and surveys on school patronage lie unpublished while the Department continues to meet with the Irish Episcopal Conference every month.
Over 1,400 people waiting for drinkable tap water for more than three months
Figures show that almost 900 people on a public water supply have been on boil notices for a year or more.
Almost 900 people across eight locations have boil water notices in place for a year or more, reports Maria Delaney of Noteworthy, our investigative platform
Over the past two years, 50 boil water and 10 do not consume notices were in place for more than a month
Water supply is impacting housing, with 42 houses refused permission in Paulstown, Co Kilkenny recently
1 in 100 bikes stolen nationwide in 2020 as Dublin and Limerick cyclists worst hit
Noteworthy investigation reveals bike theft trends over past five years and hears calls for better cycling parking facilities.
Almost 30,000 bikes were stolen over the past five years, with an average of 70% of thefts occurring in Dublin, writes Noteworthy reporter Maria Delaney
While violent bike thefts increased by 65% in 2020, overall bike thefts were almost unchanged nationally
Provisional figures "suggest a marked decrease" in bike thefts up to March this year
‘Eight teens were kicking him’: Violent bike and scooter thefts up 65% last year
‘Eight teens were kicking him’: Violent bike and scooter thefts up 65% last year
A report by
Maria Delaney
Traumatic attacks on cyclists and scooter users linked to Covid-related anti-social crime.
There was a 65% increase in aggravated bike and scooter thefts in 2020, reports Maria Delaney in the first part of Noteworthy's bike theft investigation.
Cyclists at Luas stops were targeted by gangs over the past month
A rise in anti-social behaviour linked to the pandemic is being blamed for an increase in attacks
1 in 100 bikes stolen nationwide in 2020 as Dublin and Limerick cyclists worst hit
State spent 2.5 times more on fossil fuel subsidies than climate supports over past decade
Noteworthy shows that State revenue from an EU carbon trading scheme went into controversial forestry programme and a rural transport scheme.
Transparency gap: State bodies holding back company emissions data from the public
A report by
Niall Sargent
Noteworthy project reveals emissions profiles of some of Ireland’s largest companies and highlights where lack of public transparency still exist.
Companies are starting to volunteer their emissions data but State bodies slow to reveal all details to public, writes Niall Sargent.
While emissions levels are falling in many sectors, Noteworthy analysis shows that sectors such as agriculture and aviation are stagnating or growing.
Ireland is doing well on finding energy efficiencies but there is still a mountain to climb.
Over 3,500 on wait list for a detox bed, with over 140 residential beds still closed
Over 60% are on the waiting list for at least nine months.
Noteworthy investigations expose environmental issues and analyse far-right activity
The investigative platform completed five projects so far this year, thanks to your contributions.
Ireland first and only Member State to have fishing plan revoked by European Commission
The loss of the control plan means that fisheries will no longer be allowed to weigh their catches in factories.
Valproate scandal: Parents feel failed by State over drug that harmed their children
Noteworthy finds that pleas for help from women impacted by valproate (Epilim) continue to be dismissed.
State warned by EU official in 2017 over eco-credentials of forestry licensing process
Records released to Noteworthy show that the State was warned it is not doing enough to ensure environmental risks from forestry “are a thing of the past”.
Closed Doors: Lack of transparency and the push to overfish in Ireland’s fishing sector
Noteworthy examines the powers at play in the sector and how the Irish system may be disadvantaging small-scale fisheries.
Our investigative platform, Noteworthy, takes an in-depth look at the fishing sector in this three-part series.
Significant enforcement problems prevail in Irish industry: Fishing's control issues
Endangered fish thrown away and dead whales on our shores: Fishing's ocean impact
Significant enforcement problems prevail in Irish industry: Fishing's control issues
Noteworthy finds inspections of fishing vessels dropped by 30% in 2020, with a drop of over 60% sea boardings by the Naval Service.
Penalty point politics: Changing positions and lobbying on fishing regulation
Noteworthy delves into the Government meetings, letters and emails behind the new penalty points regulation for fishers.
Endangered fish thrown away and dead whales on our shores: Fishing's ocean impact
Noteworthy reveals over 30 tonnes of threatened fish were discarded in one year, including the endangered basking shark and critically endangered skates.
The N6 ring road: Solution or dead end for Galway congestion crisis?
Noteworthy and The Journal take a deep dive into the controversial infrastructure plan which awaits green light from planners.
Trial by Telegram: Ireland's far right mobilising on 'privacy-first' messaging app
Final part in a four-part investigation into the far right in Ireland analyses the growth of US-style tactics used by Irish influencers on the platform.
Online ‘doxxing’ campaigns leading to harassment and death threats
A tactic imported from the US, personal information is published online to ‘target’ individuals who campaign against far-right groups.
Ireland’s far-right using anti-lockdown movement to smuggle in its own agenda
The second in a four-part investigation into the far right in Ireland looks at the intersection between online campaigns and the move to the streets.
Move quickly and misinform: How direct provision centres became a catalyst for far-right activism in Ireland
The first in a four-part investigation into the growth of far-right activity online in Ireland explores how an anti-immigration agenda infiltrated local activism.
'Whole ditches disappearing overnight': hedgerows falling foul to larger farms
Noteworthy finds biodiversity in a battle with some farming practices – and a low level of accountability demanded by the Department of Agriculture.
3,000 kilometres cut in three years: Ireland's hedgerow heritage at risk
Noteworthy discovers rich hedgerow resource cut back by local authorities during bird nesting season.
What are the wider implications of Covid-19 on our overlooked health services?
In your monthly update from Noteworthy, the investigative team looks at how the pandemic is shining a light on long-term deficiencies in our health system.
Department of Health can't give timeline for rollout of publicly-funded IVF
Expert says linking IVF funding with the commencement of legislation is a ‘way of putting it off’.
The good, the bad and the useless: How bike infrastructure has changed in the era of Covid
A surge in cycling happened during the pandemic but new infrastructure was not evenly spread and may not be here to stay.
The power of information with a slice of horticulture: Latest news from Noteworthy
Highlights include a series which helps you access data from public authorities and an investigation into horticulture labour practices.
Open Access: A citizen’s guide to uncovering housing and local information
Our community-driven platform Noteworthy helps you find out if you are in an area prone to floods, landslides, high radon and more.
Forestry backlog continues as licences overturned due to biodiversity concerns
Noteworthy analysis reveals serious concerns remain over environmental assessments undertaken by the State prior to granting plantation forestry licences.
Open Access: A citizen’s guide to getting the most from Freedom of Information requests
Our community-driven platform Noteworthy shows you how to use the FOI Act to access non-personal records.
PhD rights have been ignored in new employment framework, says SIPTU
PhD researchers are not entitled to sick leave, annual leave, maternity leave or other workers’ rights.
Open Access: A citizen’s guide to discovering who holds your info - and what's in there
Our community-driven platform Noteworthy shows you how access your personal information from both public bodies and private companies.
Swimming was banned at bathing spots across Ireland for over 350 days this year
Noteworthy analysis of EPA data shows that “do not swim” notices are an all too common occurrence at beaches across the country.
Open Access: A citizen’s guide to getting environmental info from public authorities
Our community-driven platform Noteworthy shows you how to use AIE requests to access a world of biodiversity and climate information.
'Under pressure': Industry urges State to open horticultural workforce to non-EU workers
Noteworthy examines an industry push for visas for non-EU workers in horticulture that has raised concern with unions, migrant rights groups and some Government departments.
Ireland has major 'pull factor' for seasonal workers fleeing economic hardship
Noteworthy and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network examine the lure for workers from Bulgaria and Romania to come to Ireland and the impact back home – both good and bad.
Growing pains: Fears for migrant workers who carry the load of Ireland's horticulture boom
Noteworthy explores long working hours, low pay and other concerning conditions for seasonal employees in the sector.