Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for May 2013
31/05/2013
Topaz, Ireland's largest convenience and fuel retailer has announced details of a €3 million investment in its service station at Dublin Airport. The upgrade will transform the station into one of the most modern and best equipped in the country. Work on the new 100 square metre flagship site will
31/05/2013
Irish Water has appointed Abtran Ltd, Cork, to operate its customer contact call centre. This decision will create 400 jobs at the Abtran facility at Bishopstown, Cork from July of this year. The contract is for a five year period and was awarded following a competitive tender process. The call cen
31/05/2013
Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty today launched the Interest Rates Approval Bill 2013 at Leinster House. The bill prevents banks that were bailed out with public money from hiking mortgage interest rates without approval from the financial regulator. Deputy Doherty said: "Last month w
31/05/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially opened a new £28.1 million social housing scheme in West Belfast. The new development of 165 units has been built on the former Bass Brewery site in West Belfast and is called Caffrey Hill. The new homes have been provided by Clanmil Hous
31/05/2013
Welcoming the announcement of €105,750 for a new pedestrian, cycling and wheelchair access bridge at Millstreet in Co. Cork, as part of the Beara Breifne walking route, Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy, Noel Harrington, said the project will encourage more tourists to visit Cork in the coming months
31/05/2013
SDLP Social Development spokesperson, Mark H Durkan, has expressed anger over the DSD minister's proposals for the June Monitoring Round. Nelson McCausland's funding bid involves the allocation of £22m to 'affordable housing' but no money at all to building new social housing. Foyle MLA Mr Durkan
30/05/2013
Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has said that funding has been secured from the National Roads Authority to carry out road surface repairs on the N72 road that runs through Cappoquin Town, Co Waterford. The road was dug for the installation of the main drainage scheme for Cappoquin but
30/05/2013
Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O'Connor, has said the sale of the Pres. Field in Glasthule secures the site for community and local use, which will come as a welcome relief to residents. She said: "News that the Pres. Field in Glasthule has been bought by the County Manager from Ben
30/05/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has launched a new £2.4 million social housing scheme at Queen Victoria Gardens in North Belfast. The new scheme will consist of twenty two homes and will be built by Trinity Housing with part funding from the Northern Ireland Executive. Minister McCau
30/05/2013
Sinn Féin spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has called on the government to extend the role of the Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) to include Local Authority and Voluntary Housing tenants. He made his comments as the Oireachtas Committee responsible prepares to debate amendments to the propos
30/05/2013
Dublin Bay North Labour Party TD, Seán Kenny, has said that Saorgus Energy Ltd, the company proposing to build a windfarm known as Dublin Array, should be doing more to alert constituents not living in Howth to the proposals they have put forward for a windfarm on the Kish Bank. Mr Kenny said: "The
30/05/2013
Minister for Communications,Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, has announced a review of Ireland’s fiscal terms for oil and gas production. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, he said he would "seek expert advice" to establish by the end of the year what level of fiscal gain is
30/05/2013
Welcoming the announcement of the Narrow Water Bridge project is going to proceed local Fianna Fáil Deputy Séamus Kirk said it was the culmination of a campaign started the best part of 30 years ago. Deputy Kirk commented: "Many people were sceptical about the prospects for the project when meeting
30/05/2013
The renovation and restoration of the Guildhall will help transform Londonderry into a world-class tourism destination, Arlene Foster has said. The Tourism Minister was speaking at an event to mark the official re-opening of the Guildhall, which was also attended by Social Development Minister, Nel
29/05/2013
£4m has been invested so far in 2012/13 on roads infrastructure in Cookstown, County Tyrone. NI Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has commended the Roads Service for the successful completion of the road schemes. Speaking ahead of the meeting between Roads Service and Cookstown District Council, Mr
29/05/2013
Stokes Property Consultants are quoting €800,000 for a new 1-acre development in Dunshaughlin, County Meath. The site is located beside the newly proposed town centre development. There are three retail units with short term tenancies at the front of the property. The population of Dunshaughlin i
29/05/2013
A new scheme has been launched for homeowners whose dwellings are threatened by pyrite. The Pyrite Resolution Board has been established by Environment Minister Phil Hogan to assist homeowners struggling to remediate the effects of pyrite damage. The Board has launched a website to inform homeowne
29/05/2013
A pier in West Sligo could be in line for €127,500 of repairs, according to The Sligo Champion. Pullnadivva Pier is located off the Coast Road between Aughris and Dromore West. The Department of Agriculture has offered up a maximum grant of €63,750, which would have to be matched by council fundin
29/05/2013
Funding for a new bridge that will link County Down and County Louth across Carlingford Lough has been given the go-ahead by NI Finance Minister Sammy Wilson. Speaking following his approval of the Narrow Water bridge project, Mr Wilson said: "Funding of £14m for the Narrow Water Bridge has now bee
29/05/2013
Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has been encouraging Ulster businesses to take advantage of the opportunities opened up by London's £14.8bn Crossrail project. The Minister was visiting Dromore-based Environmental Fabrications in County Down, which has already supplied 300 tonnes
28/05/2013
The N2/N3 link road in west Dublin has been opened by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar. It is the first road project to be funded with assistance from NAMA. Work started in September 2011 on the €20.55m development, which received funding of €6m from the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport. Th
28/05/2013
Dublin City Council has confirmed plans to replace Grafton Street’s brick paving with new stone paving. Planning permission has been granted and the council anticipates that work will begin in June 2013 and will be completed in approximately 14 months. The development will see the existing brick p
28/05/2013
A Coleraine creamery has invested £6m to construct a new butter processing plant. Ballyrashane Creamery, which employs 150 staff, has developed a new speciality butter and is to construct a new plant. Invest NI has offered almost £1.4m towards the project. NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster sai
28/05/2013
63% of construction companies are currently onsite, according to a new survey by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The Construction Confidence Index also showed an increase in activity among 26% of construction companies over the last three months. The survey results indicate the number
28/05/2013
Minister for Health James Reilly has announced with Minister Alex White and Minister Kathleen Lynch the government’s decision to relocate the National Maternity Hospital (NMH), Holles Street, to the St. Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park. €150mn has been approved Plan to allow this pr
28/05/2013
Investing €1bn in construction would create at least 10,000 jobs and would lead to at least half the expenditure being returned to the State, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The Federation also said the measure would address the cuts to capital spending which have taken pla
24/05/2013
One of Ireland's biggest hospitals has been refurbished with 35,000 square metres of Tarkett flooring. Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin has been renovated with more than seven different types of Tarkett flooring, selected for use in the project which was overseen by the Sisk Group
24/05/2013
Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has welcomed the approval of €412,000 by the Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, to put in place a temporary water treatment plant to address the cryptosporidium problem on the Roscommon Central Water Supply Scheme. Mr Feighan said:
24/05/2013
Capital Dynamics, a global private asset manager, has announced it has invested in a 21-megawatt (MW) onshore wind farm project in Northern Ireland. Capital Dynamics holds a 100% ownership stake in the project called the Dunmore wind farm. Capital Dynamics has commenced construction of the project
24/05/2013
Dinny McGinley TD Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht welcomed the approval by his colleague Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture Food and Marine, of the development of a Small Craft Harbour at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre. Welcoming the development Min
24/05/2013
Strike breakers are being utilised in an attempt to disrupt an official SIPTU dispute at the Shanganagh Water Treatment Plant, Co. Dublin. The decision by the management of SDD Shanganagh Water Treatment Ltd to fly in strike breakers from Spain is a major escalation of the industrial dispute that b
24/05/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has visited Portaferry to discuss community proposals to regenerate the town centre area. During a walkabout of the town centre, the Minister was accompanied by local political representatives and members of the Portaferry Regeneration Group. Minister
24/05/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has commended Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of road maintenance schemes totalling £7.4million in 2012/2013. The Minister said: "In the last financial year, my Department has invested over £100million in structural maintenance improv
23/05/2013
Dublin City Council has launched the Grafton Street Improvement Scheme. The €4m project will see the street's existing red brick surface replaced with high quality natural stone, new public lighting and street furniture. The stone will be granite in the main and a significant portion comes from the
23/05/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has commended Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of road schemes in 2012/2013 which accounted for £4.5million investment in the roads infrastructure in the North Down area. Minister Kennedy said: "Throughout Roads Service my Department i
23/05/2013
Brian Stanley TD, Sinn Féin spokesperson on environment, community & local government, has today challenged Minister Hogan, "to remove the shroud of secrecy surrounding the government's climate change bill". Speaking after the Dáil committee meeting on the climate change bill, Mr Stanley said: "So
23/05/2013
Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, has officially switched–on the new hydro electricity power generator at All Children's Integrated Primary School in Newcastle. The new system has the capacity to generate enough electricity to power 10 primary schools and was funded by the Department of Finance and P
23/05/2013
Following a reported increase in gas meter tampering by Bord Gais Networks, Labour TD John Lyons has strongly urged gas customers not to tamper with meters and to only use registered repair staff for boilers. Mr Lyons said: "Bord Gais Networks have reported to me a significant increase in meter tam
23/05/2013
Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Andrew Doyle, has encouraged local residents to apply online for jobs that are available as a result of the N11 upgrade. News of the local recruitment of staff for the project follows on from the deal signed last month by BAM Construction and the Government to get the wor
23/05/2013
The managing director of Northern Ireland's leading renewable energy company, Amber Green Solar, said people in Northern Ireland must stand up and take control of their energy bills after Power NI announced an 18 per cent rise in household electricity bill which will take effect from July 1. Dwyer
23/05/2013
Fianna Fáil Louth TD Seamus Kirk has called on the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore to increase his contact with Minister Sammy Wilson in the Northern Executive on the Narrow Water bridge project. It follows Parliamentary Questions between Deputy Kirk and Minister Gilmore in the Dáil. Deputy Kirk said: "I we
22/05/2013
BAM has signed a public private partnership (PPP) contract with the National Roads Authority, acting as procuring agent for the Department of Transport, for the design, build, finance, operation and maintenance of the new N7 Newlands Cross free-flow junction and a major element of the N11 road netwo
22/05/2013
Roscommon South Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, has welcomed the provision of more than €500,000 in road maintenance funding for Roscommon and Leitrim County Councils. The total funding is part of the first ever national Community Involvement Scheme, which will see residents in rural communities team up
22/05/2013
Following the growing number of residential site sales in recent months, Savills have now been instructed to place another attractive site Churchtown on the open market for sale. It comprises approximately 0.48 acres and is located beside the popular Castle Golf Club, near the Bottle Tower. The p
22/05/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £180,000 major resurfacing scheme on A5 Omagh Road Ballygawley, between the junctions with U311 Cavey Road and C651 Ballynasaggart Road, next week. The work is due to begin on Monday 27th May 2013 and is expected to last for two w
22/05/2013
Dublin Bay North Labour TD, Seán Kenny, has welcomed the clear reminder to local authorities that Minister Jan O'Sullivan will invoke her legal powers to clamp down on poor planning decisions at local level. Mr Kenny said: "This week, in a circular sent to all local authorities, the Minister gave n
22/05/2013
Social Development Minister has announced the next stage in the regeneration of Strabane town centre. Mr Nelson McCauseland confirmed that URS Infrastructure and Environment UK Ltd have been appointed to consider opportunities for the regeneration of the SCORE site and adjacent Dock Street car park
22/05/2013
Alliance Councillor Laura McNamee has welcomed the 'essential' resurfacing of a section of the Belmont Road in East Belfast. The local Councillor has previously lobbied Roads Service on behalf of residents and said those living in the area would enjoy great benefits once the work was completed, inc
22/05/2013
Sinn Féin Energy Spokesperson Phil Flanagan MLA has claimed that the 17.8% price increase announced by Power NI today may be the first step in efforts to make domestic consumers and small businesses pay more to allow price reductions for large businesses. Mr Flanagan said: "In recent weeks we have
21/05/2013
Wexford Minister of State and Government Chief Whip, Paul Kehoe TD has welcomed Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD's decision to approve funding for Wexford County Council to accept a tender to the value of €6,346,023 for the Gorey Sewerage Scheme - Extension of Courtown Wastewater Treatmen
21/05/2013
Omagh District Council's Chairman, Councillor Errol Thompson has officially opened the upgraded Fintona Household Waste Recycling Centre. The upgrade of the site was a result of grant funding from the Department of the Environment Rethink Waste Capital Grant fund. The upgraded site will result in
21/05/2013
Wexford's Minister of State Paul Kehoe TD has welcomed details of a new pilot Community Involvement Scheme for works on local roads which will see €398,8130 allocated to County Wexford through the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) announced. Minister Kehoe said: "I am delighted that this funding o
21/05/2013
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) will appear before an Oireachtas Committee today Tuesday 21st May to discuss the issue of the black economy in the construction sector. The CIF will outline examples of black economy activity in the sector involving construction work that is not tax comp
21/05/2013
Developer Seán Dunne owes over a third of a million euros to Dublin City Council despite claiming in the USA that: "I am personally happy that my debt to the Irish State is clear". Sinn Féin's Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha, Chairperson of the Council's Finance Strategic Policy Committee, revealed
21/05/2013
Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson Fra McCann has welcomed the launch of the Rural Housing Action Plan. Commenting on the plan and the 50 actions contained within the report the West Belfast MLA said: "Housing problems have plagued those who live in rural communities over many decades and although prom
21/05/2013
Fine Gael Meath TDs have welcomed the allocation of €1,549,868 under the Community Involvement Scheme which will be used to repair lesser trafficked rural roads in the county. The announcement follows on from a meeting the TDs had last week with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo V
21/05/2013
At the April meeting of Kells Town Council, local Councillor Sean Drew raised the issue of the delay in Meath County Council taking in charge the public lighting in housing estates. At the meeting, the Fianna Fáil Town Councillor outlined his concerns and his proposal to resolve the problem. Cll
21/05/2013
Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, said that he intends to introduce the initiatives from the Rebuilding Britain Campaign into his Department's procurement process. The Minister made his comments following a meeting with the British Constructional Steelwork Association and members of the
20/05/2013
A County Armagh firm has won a contract to prepare football pitches for six venues to be used for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster announced the contract, worth more than £1m, which has been awarded to Clive Richardson Ltd (CRL) of Craigavon. CRL recently took par
20/05/2013
Minister for Housing and Planning has announced a plan to demolish up to 200 so-called ‘ghost estates’. There are some 1,100 unfinished developments across the State, abandoned at the time of the property crash in 2008. TD Jan O'Sullivan said that up to 200 developments might be bulldozed as part
20/05/2013
The Irish Construction Workers’ Pension Scheme (CWPS) is set to become voluntary. Under the Construction & Electrical Industry Registered Employment Agreements (REA), employers were required to provide pension, sick pay and death-in-service benefit cover for their employees. However, following a l
20/05/2013
A €2bn capital budget for education has seen an increase in school building projects. School building projects have been prioritised in areas of population growth, including Laois, Offaly and Kildare. Both urban and rural schools are to be covered by the plan, such as Timahoe National School, whe
20/05/2013
Environment Minister Phil Hogan has approved funding for the renovation and expansion of the Granard library facilities. €500,000 has been allocated to facilitate the beginning of construction work at the site. The figure is less than half than the anticipated cost of the work, which was estimated
20/05/2013
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has said more than £4m in grants is to be spent to help protect Northern Ireland's natural environment. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency will deliver the grants for a range of projects. This will include projects from £5,000 to the West Belfast Partnership
17/05/2013
The Alliance Party has welcomed news that a planning application for the restoration and conservation of Cultra Station House looks set to get the green light. The disused Railway building has been under the control of Ireland's 'bad bank' NAMA, but could be turned into residential units - with its
17/05/2013
An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade, Eamon Gilmore T.D., has officially opened a new swimming pool and leisure centre in Loughlinstown. The facility, which has been completely modernised, includes; 3 new artificial pitches with pitch changing facilities, reception area, changing vi
17/05/2013
Dublin City Council has announced the shortlist for the naming of the new bridge over the Liffey at Marlborough Street. There were 85 official nominations received along with almost 10,000 supporting submissions, including e-mails, direct correspondence and petitions. At the meeting of Dublin City
17/05/2013
Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has expressed frustration at the late withdraw of Terence Brannigan from a planned briefing on the development of the Maze site, which was scheduled to be given to the Committee of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister on the opening day
17/05/2013
Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has urged Dublin communities to get involved in the Friend of Irish Heritage initiative launched this week by the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works (OPW), Brian Hayes TD. She said: "In the year of the Gathering, I think it is especially impor
17/05/2013
SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has spoken following a presentation to the Joint Committee for the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement by the Chambers of Commerce from Warrenpoint and Louth regarding the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project. Ms Ritchie said: "As a member of the Joint Co
16/05/2013
Fine Gael Meath TDs held a meeting with the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar TD, to push for action on the condition of the roads in North Meath. The meeting was attended by Deputies Regina Doherty, Helen McEntee, Ray Butler and Damien English. It follows a meeting last week between the four Me
16/05/2013
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., this week visited schools in Laois, Offaly and Kildare, following an invitation from Senator John Whelan to visit the area. The decision by the Government to allocate a €2 billion capital budget for education has resulted in some significant
16/05/2013
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Social Protection Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh called on the Department of Social Protection to revise the rent supplement caps in the Dublin area to adequately address the needs of those who are dependent on social welfare and in very vulnerable housing situations. Deputy Ó S
16/05/2013
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Mary Lou McDonald TD has welcomed progress made today on the Construction Contracts Bill. The Dublin Central TD said: "It is 1,098 days since the Construction Contracts Bill was first introduced to the Seanad and today it finally reached Commi
16/05/2013
Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy, Noel Harrington, has welcomed the commitment by the Minister Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, to undertake a review of the fiscal terms for oil and gas production, saying this could go a considerable way to increasing the confidence of
16/05/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially opened new Belfast offices for Apex Housing Association. Apex, with its headquarters in L'Derry, has significantly increased its housing stock in recent years and is relocating its Belfast operation to a site at The Gasworks on the Ormeau
16/05/2013
Josh Mens, an apprentice Design Engineer from Dungannon, has been crowned Apprentice of the Year 2013. Josh,18, is following an apprenticeship in Design Engineering at South West College, Dungannon. He is employed by Kiverco Recycling Systems Limited, which designs and manufactures recycling plants
16/05/2013
The work to introduce new bus lanes as part of the Belfast on The Move initiative has now moved to Wellington Place, Chichester Street and Donegall Square East. Alterations to kerb lines and traffic islands are underway and re-surfacing will be carried out with night time road closures over the nex
16/05/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £106,000 to aid a number of projects to revitalise Cookstown town centre. The funding was allocated to Cookstown District Council who will manage the delivery of the project. Initiatives included in the revitalisation project in
16/05/2013
Fantech Ventilation of Tallaght in Dublin, part of the €106 million Elta group, has supplied ventilation equipment for the prestigious new Decentralised Government Offices in Tipperary, Ireland. The company, which manufactures and supplies ventilation products throughout Ireland, won the contract
15/05/2013
Contracts valued in excess €17 million for the upgrade of Wastewater Treatment Plants in Clonakilty and Ballincollig have been signed by Cork County Council. The Carbery/Muskerry Waste Water Treatment Plants DBO (design, build and operate) and O&M (operate and maintain) Contract for €6million is pr
15/05/2013
The Green Party has accused the Government of throwing good public money after bad into the Poolbeg incinerator. Fine Gael and Labour Councillors are breaking every promise they made to stop the facility, according to the Greens. A report to South Dublin County Council indicates that construction
15/05/2013
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has welcomed progress on developing the Boyne Valley to Lakelands County Greenway, stating that the project has taken a significant step forward with the approval of a Part 8 scheme by Meath County Council. "I am really excited about this project, which will
15/05/2013
Sinn Féin MLA for North Antrim and party spokesperson on Finance, Daithí McKay has stated that the Finance Ministers refusal to investigate Sinn Féin Proposals surrounding the harmonisation of fuel duty across the island of Ireland will cost local people money. Mr McKay said: "Sinn Féin have placed
15/05/2013
Our forests should not be sold but should be developed and enhanced, according to Clare Labour TD Michael McNamara. He was speaking today at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture Food and Marine where he said that he had grave reservations about Coillte's ability to develop and enhance the
15/05/2013
Alliance East Belfast MLA Chris Lyttle has praised the Skainos Project on the lower Newtownards Road after it received one of Northern Ireland's top accolades. The local scheme was named Project of the Year at the RICS Northern Ireland Awards, recognised for its buzzing centre, striking designs and
15/05/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £215k resurfacing scheme at Prince William Road and Antrim Road roundabouts in Lisburn. The work is due to begin on 24 June 2013 on the roundabouts. The Minister said: "This scheme will increase the life of the road, greatly impr
15/05/2013
SDLP Councillor for Shantallow, Angela Dobbins welcomes the news that Shantallow Post Office at Northside Village Centre is to be modernised. Ms Dobbins said: "I am delighted that Shantallow Post Office will be brought into the 21stcentury. The refurbishment will make it much more convenient for cu
15/05/2013
A local builder was found guilty at Belfast Magistrates' Court of taking money for materials, which he never produced, and for work, which he never completed. James Gordon, a builder from Killyleagh, Co Down, also pleaded guilty to a failure to complete work to the professional standards, which cou
15/05/2013
Banbridge woman, Bronagh Mone, recently swapped her job as a maths teacher at New-Bridge Integrated College in Loughbrickland to experience life as a Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) electrical engineer. During the week long placement Bronagh had a whistle stop tour of NIE, from its apprentice tr
15/05/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland today announced the completion of a new fence to improve the overall appearance of the waterfront area and provide better views of the boatyard. The Minister said: "The completion of this project continues the positive impact that the actions set out i
14/05/2013
Fine Gael Longford/Westmeath Deputy, James Bannon, has welcomed the announcement of €500,000 for the refurbishment of Granard Branch Library saying that the new facility will further enhance the facility as a civic amenity and should encourage more people to use their local library. Mr Bannon said:
14/05/2013
The climate alarm is ringing as the atmospheric CO2 levels reach historic new levels, according to the Green Party. Last week for the first time in recorded history the level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere exceeded 400 parts per million. The World Bank has warned this is the path to a dangerou
14/05/2013
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is calling for innovative entries for the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Energy Awards. Over the last decade entries to the competition from organisations of all sizes have demonstrated energy savings in excess of €500 million. This year SEA
14/05/2013
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has announced that he is to recommend planning approval for two whiskey distilleries in Co Down. One application is for a micro whiskey distillery including a new building at Ballyhenry House, Lough Shore Road, Portaferry. This involves a change of use and extensio
14/05/2013
Deputy Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will launch the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) Bill 2013. Deputy Colreavy said: "This piece of legislation aims to address some key issues that have surrounded the debate on Irish
14/05/2013
Antrim Energy Inc., a Canada-based international exploration and production company, has announced consent has been received from the Irish Government for the transfer of interest and operatorship for its Licensing Option 11/5 (Antrim 100%) in the Porcupine Basin offshore Ireland's west coast. The
14/05/2013
A Co Tyrone business, Augher Co-Op Agricultural and Dairy Society Limited, Crossowen Road, Augher was fined £1,400 with court costs of £19 at Dungannon Magistrates' Court. The company pleaded guilty to making a polluting discharge to a waterway and to making a discharge of trade effluent into a wat
14/05/2013
Private clients should follow the bond guidelines announced by the Government for public sector work according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The CIF were speaking after Minister of State Brian Hayes announced measures to reduce the high costs facing construction companies. Bond
14/05/2013
West Tyrone Assembly Member Joe Byrne has welcomed the reaffirmed commitment by the First and Deputy First Ministers to building the A5 and the assurance that money allocated for the project will be retained in the North West. The commitments were issued by the Deputy First Minister during a cross
14/05/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has commended Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of road schemes in 2012/2013, which accounted for £2.5million investment in the roads infrastructure in the Moyle area. Speaking ahead of the meeting between Roads Service and Moyle Distri
13/05/2013
With oil tank theft rising by 153% since 2011, a Northern Ireland company is now producing the World's first Pro- Active Alarm device which when deployed acts as a defence against theft. Co Down based, Commander Securities Ltd. have launched the new Tank Commander® product which will provide domes
13/05/2013
Sinn Féin MP for West Tyrone, Pat Doherty, has welcomed the confirmation the A5 road project remains an Executive priority. Speaking following a meeting which was organised and chaired by Pat Doherty MP in order to receive an update from the offices of OFMdFM on the future of the A5 Mr Doherty said
13/05/2013
Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has said he intends to push for funding to allow an archaeological dig to continue at an ancient site near Athboy, which it's believed could date back to the Bronze Age. Deputy Butler visited Tlachtga, the Hill of Ward, and has arranged for a meeting with the M
13/05/2013
Following on from the announcement that the Government was establishing an Independent Planning Regulator, the Minister for Housing and Planning, Ms. Jan O'Sullivan, T.D., has issued a new policy directive on planning enforcement to all planning authorities. The directive has three main objectives,
13/05/2013
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has said that the government's policy for the last two years has been to back banks and other lenders against those who are risk of losing their homes. He made his comments at the party's James Connolly Summer School in Dublin. Deputy Ellis continued
13/05/2013
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has officially opened the €5.7 million extension and refurbishment at Meanscoil Iognáid Rís, Naas, Co Kildare. Meanscoil Iognáid Rís has 872 students and is projecting an increase to 920 students this September. The building project consist
13/05/2013
Environment Minister Alex Attwood gathered district councils to a Blight Summit to address eyesores in our towns and cities. Recently DOE used powers for the first time which led to the demolition of the Strand Hotel eyesore in Portstewart. District councils have also powers to serve notice on own
13/05/2013
Roads Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £113,000 resurfacing scheme on the Andersonstown Road Roundabout, Belfast. The works to improve the carriageway surface on the roundabout will take place on Sundays 19, 26 May and 2 June 2013 between 6am and 9pm. During the works the rounda
13/05/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced an important step in the future regeneration of the Holywood with the launch of a master planning exercise. The Holywood Town Centre Masterplan will identify how regeneration opportunities within the town centre can be fully realised. Ann
13/05/2013
Northern Ireland Electricity's new stand AP32 will be in the Agri Pavilion at Balmoral show, 15th to 17th May. For anyone interested in installing a renewable technology such as a wind turbine or anaerobic digestion, our connections experts will be able to take you through the grid connection proce
10/05/2013
Fianna Fáil Senator Denis O'Donovan has welcomed confirmation that Castledonovan Castle near Drimoleague will open this summer after a protracted refurbishment project. It was confirmed that Castledonovan or O'Donovan's Castle restoration project is near completion and should be open to the public
10/05/2013
A major refurbishment scheme has commenced on Bray Main Street. Bray Town Council is advising motorists that road works will be in place until October 2013. Road works will be on Bray Main street (R761) for sight investigations trenches. This will affect traffic movement on Bray Main street, Castl
10/05/2013
NI Water has successfully reached the 1000km landmark on its ongoing £90 million Water Mains Improvement Programme, exceeding the target set by over 100km. The project involved replacing watermains across Northern Ireland with more modern, durable pipes, and in under three years it has put in place
10/05/2013
Strike action by SIPTU members at Shanganagh Waste Water Treatment Plant, Co. Dublin, has been deferred following the reinstatement of a worker dismissed for trade union activity. Management and workers representatives met at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to discuss other outstanding issues
10/05/2013
Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy, Jim Daly, has called on the Government to work with the insurance industry to establish a solidarity insurance flood fund which could meet the needs of home owners who cannot obtain insurance on their property as a result of having claimed for flood damage in the pa
10/05/2013
A motion to end ecocide (the extensive destruction of ecosystems) has been passed unanimously at the 2013 Green Party Annual Convention in Galway. The motion was presented by Cathy Fitzgerald, Carlow/Kilkenny Green Party and Forestry policy spokesperson. Commenting on the decision to pass the motio
10/05/2013
Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has said the statement from Fianna Fáil claiming they'd exposed a bombshell in the Family Home Tax was an embarrassment for the party. The so-called bombshell was the fact that Local Authorities can increase the rate of the tax from 2015 onwards, som
10/05/2013
Five natural gas industry apprentices have been appointed as full-time emergency service engineers with Phoenix Energy Services after completing a three-year apprenticeship learning the gas trade. Each one of them has undergone extensive training within the Phoenix Gas Group, including working on b
10/05/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has commended Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of road schemes in 2012/2013 which accounted for £10.1million investment in the roads infrastructure in the Omagh area. Mr Kennedy said: "Throughout Roads Service, my Department has invest
10/05/2013
Derry City Council last night ratified Environment Minister Alex Attwood’s recommendation for planning approval for a new distillery in Derry. The plans include a move from the applicant, Niche Drinks Company Ltd’s existing premises at Rossdowney Road in the Waterside to a new distillery and factor
09/05/2013
First Minister Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA have launched renewable energy company, Gaelectric's £20milion windfarm development in Carrickfergus today. The Carn Hill Windfarm will power up to 8,000 homes with renewable electricity and is the company’s
09/05/2013
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD has called on the government to directly intervene to save the Moore Street National Monument by removing it from the ownership of Chartered Land. In his reply the Taoiseach said that Minister Deenihan will be bringing a memo to the government shortly dealing with
09/05/2013
Armagh City & District Council ratified Environment Minister Alex Attwood's recommendation for planning approval for the redevelopment of Armagh Gaol. The plans include a hotel and spa, seven retail units, and thirty two apartments. Approval has also been given for number 6 Gaol Square to provide r
09/05/2013
Ventilation specialists Fantech have reported an excellent response to their focus on energy saving developments at the Energy Show in Dublin, reporting high levels of interest from visitors, as well as receiving a commendation for the Quietflow SQS DCV fan in the 'Product of the Show Award'. The e
09/05/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government Barry Cowen said that the new Planning Regulator to be established by the Government must be fully resourced with clear powers and a transparent appointment process to make a positive impact on spatial planning in Ireland. Deputy Co
09/05/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced an important step in the future regeneration of Ballynahinch with the launch of a master planning exercise. The Ballynahinch Town Centre Masterplan will identify how regeneration opportunities within the town centre can be fully realised.
09/05/2013
Kingspan Group, the leading international provider of low energy building solutions, has issued its Interim Management Statement in advance of its Annual General Meeting which is being held in Dublin. The Group has recorded a solid performance in the first four months of 2013 against a backdrop of
09/05/2013
The Chief Executive of ESB, Pat O’Doherty has appointed Bríd Horan as Deputy Chief Executive. She will replace John Shine who will leave ESB at the end of May following 31 years with the company. "John has made a significant contribution to ESB’s growth and development over the past three decades
09/05/2013
Robert Craig and Sons, the Lisburn-based specialist in eco-friendly fuel cleaning systems, has been assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to win new business worth more than £250,000. The company has taken part in a series of Invest NI trade missions and is now firmly established in key markets such
09/05/2013
Roads Service has announced that the Queens Street and Malcolm Road junction and its approaches are to be resurfaced as part upgrade work to the traffic signals at this junction. The resurfacing forms an essential part of the maintenance of this key network junction. Roads Service has coordinated
08/05/2013
Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources has launched the ISLES II Study in front of European Commissioners, Maire Geoghegan-Quinn and Guenther Oettinger, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary, Phyllis Yoshida and over 300 other delegates at a EU Presidency Conference in Dublin. The event
08/05/2013
Windsor Motors Group, one of Ireland's largest Motor group, have renewed their gas contract and signed an additional electricity deal with energy provider Energia. The deal which is worth approximately €200k will see Energia supply over 1.5 gigawatt hours of electricity and gas to 14 Windsor sites
08/05/2013
The Cabinet has approved proposals for the preparation of a new Planning and Development Bill to establish a new Planning Regulator. The establishment of a Planning Regulator was the most significant recommendation regarding planning made by the Mahon Tribunal when it issued its final report in Mar
08/05/2013
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has announced that he has given approval to invite tenders for the Design Build Operate contract of the Claregalway & Milltown Sewerage Scheme. Mr Phil Hogan said: "This vitally important project which is being funded under my Department
08/05/2013
The Green party is calling for Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown to amend the County development plan to comply with An Bord Pleanála ruling. An Bord Pleanála's decision last week to refuse planning permission for a major commercial development at Carrickmines supports the direction given by then Minister for
08/05/2013
Cavan Monaghan Deputy Brendan Smith has raised concerns that the new carbon tax that kicked in this month will strangle retailers in border counties, as increased prices will drive people across the border to buy solid fuels. The Fianna Fáil Deputy raised a special debate in the Dáil on the matter
08/05/2013
Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has announced a joint North-South study on all-island air quality to examine air pollution from residential solid fuel, in particular 'smoky' coal, to consider the potential policy options to reduce such emissions with co
08/05/2013
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Helen McEntee, has welcomed the announcement that a new school building is to be provided for the Eureka post-primary school in Kells. The project has been announced as part of the latest phase of the Government's school building programme, and will be delivered as part of
08/05/2013
Sinn Féin's Sandra McLellan TD for Cork East criticised the government for slashing the housing budget despite committing to end homelessness by 2016. She said: "When we look at the issue of housing in Ireland we see a dismal picture. Thousands of families are in mortgage arrears and struggling to
08/05/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £330,000 major resurfacing scheme on Kernan Loop and M12, Portadown. The resurfacing is from Northway to the M12 and will include works on the M12. In order to help minimise disruption to traffic on this busy route, the works
07/05/2013
Dublin City Council has announced that pedestrians and shoppers will enjoy full access to businesses on Grafton Street during the street's repaving. The council gave notice that Phase 1 of the improvement works for Grafton Street will commence at the end of May on the section of the street between
07/05/2013
ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Ireland (Offshore) Limited, an affiliate of Exxon Mobil Corporation, together with co-venturers has started exploration drilling on the Dunquin 44/23-1 deepwater exploration well off the southwest coast of Ireland. Well 44/23-1 is located in the Frontier Explor
07/05/2013
Students from Loreto Balbriggan were the overall winners of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) search for One Good Idea with their Tree of a Kind entry, which developed an education programme for primary school pupils about energy efficiency and climate change. Transition year st
07/05/2013
Bord Gáis Éireann announces that it has commenced the sale process for Bord Gáis Energy, its energy business, and will be issuing an information memorandum to potential bidders. Michael G O'Sullivan, Finance Director, Bord Gáis Éireann, said: "This is an important milestone in the sale of Bord Gáis
07/05/2013
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis has condemned the slow pace of delivery of promised social housing from NAMA stock. He made his comments in light of a response by the Department of Environment to a Sinn Féin Dáil question, which stated that after more than three years of NAMA only 263
07/05/2013
The Government needs to do all they can to facilitate major new wind power infrastructure in the Midlands, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The CIF believes such a project will create substantial employment opportunities and allow Ireland to export wind energy, further str
07/05/2013
Labour TD for Cork South-West, Michael McCarthy, has said there is a need to publicise the number of mortgage appeals that are being approved or refused by State-owned banks. Mr McCarthy said: "People have a right to know if State-owned banks are turning over a healthy number of appeals or if they
07/05/2013
Cairn Energy has announced a farm-in as Operator to two licences offshore West of Ireland in the Porcupine Basin, which contains the undeveloped Spanish Point gas condensate and Burren oil discoveries, and six adjacent licensing option blocks. The acreage covers an area of 2,753km2 with more than
07/05/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £250,000 for a Revitalisation scheme in Coleraine. Minister McCausland said: "This £250,000 investment will help revitalise this historic part of Coleraine in the Waterside and Bridge Street areas of the town centre. The scheme
07/05/2013
Global wind and solar company, Mainstream Renewable Power today announced its sponsorship of a rowing expedition attempting a world first through the infamous Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic this summer. Three experienced Irish adventurers and one Canadian are attempting to become the fir
03/05/2013
A Conference on the future sustainable regeneration of Docklands is concluding today Friday 3rd May 2013 at The Gibson Hotel, Point Village, Dublin 1. The Conference will focus on the wider Docklands area addressing key themes such as the Economy, Education and Employment; Community Identity and N
03/05/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has released the 2012/13 out turn figures for new build social and affordable homes. Nelson McCausland MLA A total of 2,336 new starts were delivered in 2012/13, keeping the Programme for Government target firmly on track and realising an overall inves
03/05/2013
Rural Development Minister Michelle O’Neill and Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy today announced the reopening of the Rural Borewells Scheme. The Scheme aims to provide access to affordable safe drinking water in rural homes, built before 2000, that are beyond the reach of the public net
03/05/2013
Fine Gael Roscommon/South Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, has welcomed the approval of €172,793 in LEADER funding for the development of an outdoor recreational and amenity facility for quad biking in Springfield, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Roscommon. Mr Feighan said: "I welcome the decision by the Ministe
03/05/2013
Minister of State Brian Hayes has welcomed the easing of insurance restrictions on the awarding of public works contracts. Public works contracts are estimated to be worth in the region of €2.25 billion annually. The lowering of the burden on contractors is in response to increasing delays in the
03/05/2013
The Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte T.D has stressed that the only long term solution to the problems of fuel poverty lie in the quality of housing. The Minister was speaking at the 100th Board meeting of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Promoting energy efficiency and managing such s
02/05/2013
Figures released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate that while Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions will comply with its Kyoto Protocol obligations (2008 – 2012), Ireland is at significant risk of not meeting its EU 2020 targets even under the best-case scenario. EPA projections fo
02/05/2013
North Antrim Ulster Unionist MLA Robin Swann has called on DUP Health Minister Edwin Poots to argue at the Executive for any unspent capital money from the A5 project to be put towards a new Children's Hospital for Northern Ireland. Mr Swann said: "The A5 project was an Executive initiative using E
02/05/2013
Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne, TD has welcomed a decision by Dublin City Council to scrap its plans to leave illegally dumped rubbish on the streets around the city. The Council had been planning to allow the rubbish to build up for a number of days next month, to highligh
02/05/2013
NI Water is currently engaged in an ongoing process of improving and upgrading the water supply infrastructure in the North Belfast area. Once complete, this project will be good news for the local area as the upgraded water mains will improve the reliability and security of the local water supply
02/05/2013
Low carbon concrete provider Ecocem is to brief the Government on how it can reduce carbon emissions from concrete by 70pc by 2020. Donal O'Riain, Chief Executive of Ecocem, told a conference on the built environment that the environmental and health damage caused by cement plants since 2000 is nea
02/05/2013
Fianna Fáil TD for Wexford, John Browne, says priority must now be given to ensure funding for the N25 New Ross bypass and N11 Gorey to Enniscorthy Road is made available immediately. Deputy Browne was reacting to the announcement that contracts have been signed for the construction of a fly-over a
01/05/2013
Natural Power has been awarded their first Biomass contract in Ireland. The contract will see Natural Power provide Owners Engineer services for Biotricity Ltd on their Rhode Biomass Plant in Co. Offaly, Ireland. The 16.3MWe Rhode Biomass Plant is planned to be fuelled by straw and willow grown b
01/05/2013
Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O'Connor, has welcomed the announcement of €148,500 in funding for the realignment of the stream and embankment at Deansgrange. She said: "Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council submitted an application for funding for works to be carried out on Deansgra
01/05/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie O'Dea TD, says the introduction of the Carbon Tax today will cause undue hardship to thousands of elderly and vulnerable people as they struggle to deal with cooler than usual temperatures. Over the next 12 months, the cost of a bag of coal will
01/05/2013
Labour TD for Wicklow, Anne Ferris, welcomed the announcement that the N11 Arklow-Rathnew contract has been signed. She said: "I am delighted that funding has been provided for the N11 Arklow-Rathnew upgrade as it has been a long time coming. "We've been waiting years and years for this busy stret
01/05/2013
The first three months of 2013 saw contracts signed or transactions completed in relation to a further 110 properties made available by NAMA for social housing, including both houses and apartments. This brings the total delivered under this initiative to end-March 2013 to 339. Of this total transa
01/05/2013
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has confirmed that his party will be opposing the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill. He said that the Bill will remove a current loophole, making it easier for banks to repossess the family home and that this is "simply wrong".
01/05/2013
SDLP representatives elected to Westminster and the Assembly met Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy today to discuss the future of the A5 project held up by a legal ruling on habitat issues. The delegation emphasised to the Minister the need to resolve the issue in the shortest possible ti
01/05/2013
The site of the former Strand Hotel, for many years an eyesore blighting Portstewart, has been demolished. Demolition of the site, which was abandoned over a decade ago, came about through Minister Attwood acting to ensure that a Completion Notice, a power held by DOE Planning, was served. Mr Attw
