A Harvard professor has expressed concern about the Government's move to make it easier for people to build one-off houses in the Irish countryside.
Professor Francois Vigier, who is due to speak at a seminar in Athlone IT today, said a proliferation of such houses posed a threat to the environment, particularly due to sewage and septic tanks.
Prof Vigier has also said that more investment in the rail network is needed to ensure the Government's National Spatial Strategy is a success.