Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for February 2014
28/02/2014
Clare County Council has received confirmation from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government of its decision to provide €16,205,637 to undertake repair works to local authority managed infrastructure damaged during the recent period of severe weather. The funding has been a
28/02/2014
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has outlined the work undertaken to date to ensure compliance with pay and conditions clauses in the Public Works Contract used on all major school building projects. In April 2013, the Department of Education & Skills appointed Contractors
28/02/2014
Brian Stanley TD, Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government, has expressed concern over the impact of the new statutory Building Regulation. It is due to come into force on 1st March and will require new standards of compliance with existing regulations, and that builders be
28/02/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced that DOE Planning has recommended approval for 23 small business units and 2,000 square metres of floor-space outside Crumlin. The application is located on part of a former World War Two Air Force camp site associated with the Langford Lodge airfiel
28/02/2014
A major four-year plan outlining the future economic development and marketing of the Lough Derg area as a tourism destination has been launched by Minister Alan Kelly, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. Fáilte Ireland's Plan for Lough Derg, entitled 'A Roadmap for
28/02/2014
Sinn Fein Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has called on the Minister for Housing to work with Local Authorities to develop a strategy for the establishment of housing trusts under Local Authorities. Speaking after the opening of a new housing initiative by Fold Housing, where former local auth
28/02/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland announces funding of £370,000 for a public realm scheme which will upgrade pavements, street lighting and furniture in Portland Avenue, Glengormley. The Newtownabbey Regeneration Strategy was launched in March 2011. Its main aim was to assess the full r
28/02/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a £300,000 improvement scheme on the B48 Gortin Road in Omagh is scheduled to start on Monday 3 March 2014. The scheme will include the resurfacing of the Gortin Road carriageway between Glencam Road and Gortnagarn Road. Work is expecte
27/02/2014
Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha has described as scandalous the determination of the Dublin City Manager and the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan to proceed with the Poolbeg incinerator despite a report from the Council's Audit Committee that it has no confidence in the p
27/02/2014
MLA Joe Byrne says a dedicated team for the A5 scheme must be put in place to ensure delivery of what he branded as 'vital' infrastructure for West Tyrone and the western area. The West Tyrone assemblyman was speaking after questioning DRD Minister Danny Kennedy regarding the issue of a key deliver
27/02/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced the appointment of King Street Arts as art advisors for the Bank Square Regeneration Project in Belfast City Centre. Over the coming months, the group will work to develop a suitable theme for an art trail, comprising a number of individua
27/02/2014
The Government has approved significant measures proposed by the Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, to implement a housing-led approach to homelessness. The measures approved by Government follow on from the recommendations of the Homelessness Oversight Group which presented its fir
27/02/2014
Sinn Féin's EU candidate for Ireland South has stated that new building regulations to be introduced by Minister Phil Hogan on 1st March are causing much confusion and worry, it has been claimed. Ní Riada said: "People wishing to build homes or put extensions on their homes or farm properties will
27/02/2014
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has attended the official opening of a new school building for Lagan College in Belfast. The new building represents a capital investment of £25m and is part of the Public Private Partnership project. The Minister said: "It is a pleasure for me to help Lagan Colleg
27/02/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has cut the first sod of a new £1.5m social housing scheme at Crossgar Road, Saintfield. The development, located on a former police station site, will provide eight apartments and four houses for families on the housing waiting list. The new homes are
27/02/2014
Mid-Ulster Ulster Unionist MLA Sandra Overend has welcomed the news that Toomebridge based SDC Trailers are to create 40 new jobs, after securing an order from a Saudi Arabian firm. Mrs Overend commented: "At a time of job losses around the country, the creation of forty new posts is very welcome
26/02/2014
GE Energy Financial Services has announced it has made its first equity investment in Ireland's wind power market by acquiring two wind farm construction projects that will be powered by the GE's flagship 2.85MW wind turbines. With a combined capacity of 51 megawatts, the wind farms, acquired from
26/02/2014
Labour MEP, Emer Costello, has welcomed the progress made towards the regeneration of Dublin's historic market area. Dublin City Business Association held a seminar in the Mansion House on 'A Regenerated City Food Market Quarter in Dublin 1'. The seminar examined options for progressing with this p
26/02/2014
Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath has said protection for the 13,000 IBRC mortgage holders whose mortgages are being sold by the Special Liquidator must be binding and enforceable. Deputy McGrath was speaking on the eve of an appearance by the IBRC Special Liquidator before the Joint
26/02/2014
Michael Colreavy TD, Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has called for a vote taken by members of Westmeath County Council on wind turbines to be respected by the government. Deputy Colreavy said: "Following a vote by members of Westmeath County Council to res
26/02/2014
Labour TD, Michael McNamara, has urged the National Parks & Wildlife Service to take a sensible and flexible approach to ensure that storm damage repair in environmentally sensitive areas can be undertaken without penalty to farmers. Deputy McNamara, who raised the issue at the Dáil Agriculture Com
26/02/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the commencement of a £165,000 road improvement scheme on Lake Street in Lurgan. The refurbishment of Lake Street, from Levin Road to North Circular Road, is expected to be completed by Sunday 6 April. Mr Kennedy said: "The improvement sche
26/02/2014
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA and Chair of the Assembly Enterprise Committee, Patsy McGlone has led a delegation of MLAs at an urgent meeting with the Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy following the collapse of Dungiven firm KPL. Mr McGlone said: "The collapse of KPL and loss of over 200 jobs has b
26/02/2014
Work has started on a new cycle path scheme at Castledawson Road, Magherafelt. Up to 480 metres of combined footway/cycleway will be constructed as part of the £75,000 scheme which is expected to last for four weeks. Mr Kennedy said: "This is a very welcome scheme particularly as it addresses the
25/02/2014
The IBF Housing Market Monitor Q4 2013, published today by the Irish Banking Federation (IBF), shows that, while positive trends emerged across some of the key housing market indicators in 2013, significant national variations in market conditions persist. With 2013 as a whole showing increases in
25/02/2014
Sinn Féin EU candidate for Ireland South Liadh Ní Riada has stated that the European Union has a role to play in tackling the housing crisis. Miss Ní Riada is urging the Government to apply to the European Investment Bank for match funding loans which could be used to refurbish vacant houses in thi
25/02/2014
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has launched the new Landlord Registration Scheme. Minister McCausland said: "The introduction of landlord registration will help make the private rented sector more attractive for more people." The scheme requires all private landlords who let residential proper
25/02/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £200,000 right turn lane and junction improvement scheme near Omagh next week. The improvement scheme on the A32 Clanabogan Road/U1540 Brookmount Road junction outside Omagh is due to begin on 3 March 2014 and is expected to be co
25/02/2014
Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has welcomed news Toomebridge-based manufacturing firm SDC Trailers has secured a £1.25 million overseas contract, creating 40 new jobs. Mr McGlone, who is chair of the Assembly's DETI committee, said the creation of new jobs by a long established firm was "a good news
25/02/2014
The Green Party has launched its European Parliamentary campaign in Buswells Hotel, Dublin. Running an all-island ticket, Eamon Ryan, Grace O'Sullivan, Mark Dearey and Ross Brown outlined their reasons for running and their goals for the European Parliament. One of the key policies which all cand
25/02/2014
Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has welcomed a significant partnership between the State and the Bank of Ireland which will result in the creation of a new Cultural and Heritage Centre at Parliament Buildings, College Green. Bank of Ireland has made the space ava
25/02/2014
Alliance Ballyclare Councillor Pat McCudden has called on DRD to ensure that the Ballyclare West relief project will still go ahead. He was speaking after KPL, the company behind the project, entered into administration. It has been reported that they recently sold the land where 2,000 homes and a
24/02/2014
Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O'Brien has called on the Government to take heed of the concerns for health and the environment that are being put forward by those who are against the Eirgrid pylon plan. Mr O'Brien said: "I want to commend the grassroots community groups who have campaigned against the Eirg
24/02/2014
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has strongly condemned proposals by the Minister for Housing to remove social responsibility clauses from developers describing them as a sham solution to a very real crisis. Deputy Ellis was responding to plans by the Minister to remove Part V of the
24/02/2014
Alliance Environment spokesperson, Anna Lo MLA, has called on the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to improve flood defences and has highlighted the impact of climate change on flooding. She was speaking ahead of an Alliance Motion she will be proposing in the Assembly on Monda
24/02/2014
SDLP Lisburn Councillor Brian Heading has said cavity wall insulation must be included in the Department for Social Development's (DSD) Warm Home Scheme. Mr Heading was speaking after the DSD included the removal and replacement of ineffective cavity wall insulation to existing measures in its cons
24/02/2014
Finance Minister Simon Hamilton MLA has outlined how the Northern Ireland Executive's £1billion spend on capital projects next year will encourage growth in the construction industry. The Minister was speaking to over 150 members at the Chartered Institute of Building's annual dinner in Belfast. T
21/02/2014
The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on the Environment Brian Stanley TD has claimed that a report published by the Commission for Energy Regulation contradicts claims by the Taoiseach and Minister Phil Hogan that people will know what they will be paying in domestic water charges before the local elections.
21/02/2014
The Ulster Unionist Party's South Belfast MLA Michael McGimpsey has said he is "pleased" with the progress that is being made for the new consolidated primary school in South Belfast. Speaking following a meeting with the Belfast Education and Library Board, Mr McGimpsey said: "I, alongside local C
21/02/2014
Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, has said that a long term flood prevention plan to protect Cork must be prioritised. Speaking on the matter in the Dáil, Deputy Buttimer also welcomed the commitment of funding for the project by Minister of State at the OPW, Brian Hayes TD. Mr H
21/02/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced an estimated £187,000 road resurfacing scheme for the Toome area. Work will begin on Monday 3rd March and continue until 17th March 2014 between Roguery Road and Loop Road. Mr Kennedy said. "The improvements will result in the overall strengthening o
21/02/2014
Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland has approved a rent increase of around £2.56 per week for Northern Ireland Housing Executive tenants. The 4.2% increase, effective from 1 April 2014, brings average rents to £63.46 a week excluding rates. Housing Executive rents are around £20 a week l
21/02/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has cut the first sod of a new £2.2 million social housing scheme on the Antrim Road in Glengormley. The development when completed, will consist of 21 apartments and is being built by Clanmil Housing Association with part funding from the Northern Irel
21/02/2014
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has accused energy companies of hitting some of the poorest people in society the hardest, not least in Derry and throughout the North, for not paying their bills by direct debit. Government figures show that those paying by cash or cheque typically pay £114 a year more th
21/02/2014
Irish Water's attempts to offer Oireachtas members an avenue for queries is much too little too late, according to Fianna Fáil’s Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen. Deputy Cowen explained: "Irish Water has now decided to provide an email address for Oireachtas members to send in their queries. Th
20/02/2014
Clare Senator Tony Mulcahy has received confirmation from Government that the long awaited proposed overhaul and upgrading of the Shannon Sewerage Scheme in County Clare will proceed to construction in 2015. In a response to a motion raised in the Seanad by Senator Mulcahy, Minister for the Environ
20/02/2014
Irish renewable energy firm, Mainstream Renewable Power, has announced its preferred contractors to carry out construction works and to supply wind turbines for its proposed 450MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm to be located off the coast of Fife in Scotland. The move follows the conclusion o
20/02/2014
Construction companies and sole traders can now apply to join the new register for the construction industry. The Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI) is being set up to help distinguish competent, experienced construction companies and sole traders from those who have given the construc
20/02/2014
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has launched a consultation into the future provision of home energy efficiency measures in Northern Ireland. The Affordable Warmth consultation aims to review the operation and administration of the provision of energy efficiency improvements for low income house
20/02/2014
Ulster Unionist Party MLA Roy Beggs Jnr has spoken of his concern following the seventh power line theft in seven weeks in Northern Ireland. The most recent theft involved over a mile of copper wiring being removed from NIE power lines on the Antrim Road, in Newtownabbey. The East Antrim MLA, wh
20/02/2014
Sinn Féin spokespersons on the Environment and Energy, Brian Stanley TD and Michael Colreavy TD and EU election candidate Councillor Matt Carthy, has handed in a submission on proposed changes to guidelines on wind farms. The document contains detailed proposals on setback distances, noise and sha
20/02/2014
Deputy Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has highlighted claims that exporting renewable energy to Britain does not make economic sense. Speaking following the launch of a report by BW Energy, Deputy Colreavy said: "Sinn Féin has consistently m
20/02/2014
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has visited John Paul II Youth Club in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast. The visit follows the Minister's announcement in November 2013 that the youth club had been awarded more than £290,000 to enable significant renovation works. The Minister said: "Youth clubs
20/02/2014
Charleville Park Hotel, the only hotel in the North Cork town of Charleville, is for sale. Property consultants Savills has been instructed to market the property with an asking price of €3.75m. The 4-star hotel opened in 2008 and comprises 91 bedrooms, two bars, restaurant, conference and banqueti
20/02/2014
Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for South Belfast Michael McGimpsey has welcomed assurances from the Health Minister that the Belfast City Hospital site will be made available for the new consolidated primary school in South Belfast. The meeting which was held today in Stormont with the Health Mini
19/02/2014
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, T.D., has welcomed the publication of the Pyrite Remediation Scheme and the announcement by the Board that its online application system will begin to accept applications from homeowners affected by pyritic damage from 26
19/02/2014
Minister for Public & Commuter Transport, Alan Kelly, has announced the provision of over €8.5 million of sustainable transport grants for Cork City. The funding, administered by the National Transport Authority (NTA), will be used to remove pinch-points, improve public transport, cycling and pedes
19/02/2014
Limerick-based direct marketing firm Consultonomics has announced their commitment to being a 'green' company by rolling out a new energy efficiency policy. The company pledges to cut carbon emissions by 15% over the next year. Consultonomics maintains that energy efficiency is essential not only
19/02/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today announced a boost for people seeking to save on their energy bills. From 10 March homeowners will no longer need planning permission for installing, altering or replacing air source heat pumps in homes. These pumps absorb heat from the outside air and help s
19/02/2014
Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment Brian Stanley has said that domestic electricity requirements should be met before wind generated electricity is exported to Britain. Deputy Stanley was speaking at an Environment Committee meeting which heard submissions from Element Power and Bord na Mona
19/02/2014
Chairman of the Oireachtas Environment Committee, Michael McCarthy, has welcomed moves by Uisce Éireann to establish a dedicated line of communication to address requests for information from Oireachtas members on behalf of the public. He said: "Further to the appearance of Uisce Éireann at the Joi
19/02/2014
Bord na Móna's wind energy development of Mountlucas wind farm has reached a significant milestone with the completed erection of the first wind turbine on the Co Offaly wind farm. The work has been underway since January following the arrival of turbine components on site over the past month. The
19/02/2014
Holbrook House, a high profile Dublin office investment and asset management opportunity is being brought to the market by Savills on the instruction of the Joint Receivers Kieran Wallace and Cormac O'Connor of KPMG. The property is located in the traditional business district of Dublin City Centre
19/02/2014
Fine Gael Dublin Senator, Catherine Noone, has welcomed the recent announcement that AIB is establishing a €350m development finance fund for house building, but added that a suite of measures is needed to deal with the rising demand for residential property in the capital. She said: "Rents are on
19/02/2014
Finance Minister Simon Hamilton MLA today welcomed firm evidence of growing confidence in the Northern Ireland housing market. The Northern Ireland Residential Property Price Index (NI RPPI), produced by Land & Property Services (LPS) in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research A
18/02/2014
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, has announced that €30m will be invested in upgrading the energy efficiency of local authority homes this year. The funding is part of a three year jobs stimulus programme that will see the energy efficiency of 25,000 of the poorest insulated l
18/02/2014
The Home & Community Section of Limerick City and County Council has confirmed that extensive refurbishment works to 189 Limerick City properties affected by floodwaters on 1 February are nearing completion. The privately owned and Local Authority owned houses in Kings Island, St. Mary's Park and C
18/02/2014
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has reminded the public that there's still time to have their say on how social homes may be allocated in the future. A team from the Universities of Cambridge and Ulster have recommended that social housing allocation should be clearer and easier to understand.
18/02/2014
Sinn Féin Dublin EU Candidate Lynn Boylan will host a series of major public meetings on debt crisis and mortgage distress across north Dublin with the first to be held in Swords on Tuesday night. Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD will be the guest speaker. Speaking ahead of the event L
18/02/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has said that £400,000 has been secured to carry out a scheme to improve the operation of Lodge Road Roundabout later this year. Work will start at the Lodge Road Roundabout site, with alterations to the existing signals and lane markings and provide an additional
18/02/2014
SDLP South Down MLA Karen McKevitt has praised the tireless professionalism of Roads Service and NIE staff who have been working around the clock to carry out repairs to the A2 Rostrevor road following the collapse of a section. Mrs McKevitt said: "The Roads Service and NIE staff who have been with
18/02/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced a £250,000 scheme to upgrade a busy town centre junction in Newtownards. The improvement scheme, at South Street/Court Street, has been identified under the Department's Collision Remedial programme where a number of personal injury collisions, involvi
18/02/2014
Phil Hogan, TD, Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government has launched the National Radon Control Strategy for Ireland at the Eleventh National Radon Forum in Kilkenny. Speaking at the launch, Minister Hogan said: "Successful implementation of this Strategy will require action from a
18/02/2014
Fine Gael TD for Wicklow and member of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, Simon Harris, has said that legislation published by Fianna Fáil prompted by the sale of the Irish Nationwide loanbook is legally unsound and could leave the State open to significant costs. Mr Harris said: "The Government is
18/02/2014
The latest revelation of excessive spending at Irish Water proves that the interests of customers and taxpayers were cast aside in the establishment of Phil Hogan’s new super quango, according to Fianna Fáil’s Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen. It's emerged that the Energy Regulator raised signi
17/02/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of two schemes totalling £1.5m in the Stiles Way and Steeple Road area of Antrim. The first scheme will cost £300,000 and will provide a continuous footway/cycleway along Stiles Way, while the second project, valued at £1.2m, is a
17/02/2014
Google could be about to invest €150m in a new data centre in west Dublin, according to a report by the Sunday Independent. It has been claimed that the technology firm is to submit planning application for the project today (17 February). If approved, the scheme could create up to 300 jobs duri
17/02/2014
Work has commenced on a €500m project to supply Dublin with water from the River Shannon, it has been reported. Irish Water has said it is now looking for tenders for a survey specialist to examine the water quality at both Lough Derg and the Parteen Basin. This is where the water for the project
17/02/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced an appointment to the Board of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Councillor Frank Britton has been appointed as a Housing Council member to the Board of the NI Housing Executive. Commenting, Minister McCausland said: "I welcome th
17/02/2014
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance, Michael McGrath, has said that any significant deviation from NAMA's plan to dispose of its €22bn loan portfolio up to 2020 must be based on an independent assessment of what will deliver the best return for Irish citizens, rather than on any political imperative
17/02/2014
The car park at Shankill DART Station has been reopened. The site had been closed since November 2013 to allow the existing car park to be upgraded. Work carried out means the car park now has 145 spaces, including six disabled parking bays, 40 bicycle parking spaces and improved public lighting
14/02/2014
Exporting our residual waste is not an outcome Ireland should rely on in the long term which can only result in missed opportunities to generate energy and create jobs, according to a report published today by Engineers Ireland. Marking the beginning of Engineers Week 2014, the report found that Ir
14/02/2014
EnerNOC one of the leading providers of energy intelligence software (EIS), has announced that it has acquired Dublin-based Activation Energy, the leading provider of demand response software and services in Ireland. The acquisition gives EnerNOC an immediate presence in the Irish capacity market
14/02/2014
Four Clare County Council planning projects have been shortlisted for honours at the 8th annual National Planning Awards in Dublin Castle on 21st February. The projects are among 33 shortlisted by the Irish Planning Institute, the organisers of the all-island awards scheme. The National Planning A
14/02/2014
Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Arts, Heritage, Tourism & Sport, Sandra McLellan TD, has expressed, "deep concern at reports that number 18 Moore Street is set to be demolished". McLellan said: "According to the Irish Times, Chartered Land is preparing to demolish number 18 Moore Street. This is deeply
14/02/2014
Sinn Fein Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has said new figures from the Department on Finance on mortgages show that 82% of struggling homeowners who are in arrears of over 90 days are still not in a permanent solution. Deputy Doherty said: "These figures show that there is still even at thi
14/02/2014
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has welcomed the agreement reached at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) between the employers and unions. Under the agreement existing pay arrangements will continue to apply for electricians. The CIF and the TEEU have agreed to recommend these pro
14/02/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that £400,000 has been secured to carry out a scheme to improve the operation of Lodge Road Roundabout later this year. Work will start at the Lodge Road Roundabout site, with alterations to the existing signals and lane markings and provide an additio
14/02/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a £120,000 improvement scheme for B17 Straid Road, Ballycastle is now underway. Major resurfacing work is being carried out from B147 Ballinlea Road, Eastwards for approximately 1km to near Falltaggart Road. The scheme is expected to be
14/02/2014
SDLP councillor Shauna Cusack has urged the residents of Rosemount and the surrounding areas to make their voice heard by responding to a DRD public consultation to introduce a one way traffic system along Park Avenue to the junction of Rosemount Roundabout. Ms Cusack said: "The issue of traffic co
14/02/2014
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath has published legislation designed to protect mortgage holders whose loans are sold to unregulated third parties. Deputy McGrath said: "The issue is given particular urgency by the imminent prospect of the sale of the former Irish Nationwide mortg
13/02/2014
Fine Gael Waterford Deputy and Vice Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed confirmation that in excess of €1 million is being allocated to address the recent storm damage at Plunkett Station in Waterford. Deputy Coffey added that
13/02/2014
Invis Energy's 44.35MW capacity wind farm at Knocknagoum has begun generating electricity to Irish homes and businesses. It is the largest wind farm to have been built in Ireland in 2013. Located in the Stack's Mountains in County Kerry, Knocknagoum consists of 26 Vestas [v52] turbines and is ca
13/02/2014
AIB has launched a €350m New Homes Development Fund to support the construction and supply of new homes in the cities and suburbs of Dublin, Cork and Galway. The fund, developed to address the growing shortage in residential housing in these urban areas, will be available to borrowers who can demon
13/02/2014
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has welcomed an announcement that a new €20m fund is being established to help distressed local authority mortgage holders. It will be used to offer the 'mortgage-to-rent' solution to local authority mortgage holders who are unable to meet their monthly rep
13/02/2014
Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer has welcomed the latest re-assurance from the Executive that it remains committed to the A5 Dual Carriageway, and that public consultation exercises will commence in April. Mr McAleer stated: "I tabled a question to OFMDFM asking about progress on the A5 Dual Carriagewa
13/02/2014
Fine Gael Cork North Central TD, Dara Murphy, has welcomed confirmation that €2.8m is being allocated to repair the roof of Kent Station in Cork, which was severely damaged in the recent bad weather. Deputy Murphy added that the funding underlines the Government's commitment to helping communities
13/02/2014
Green Party Environment Spokesperson, Michael Noonan, has slammed the latest developments in the Poolbeg incinerator fiasco. Mr Noonan continues to condemn the project claiming it is the "wrong project for Dublin waste". Mr Noonan said: "The Covanta investor meeting merely confirms that investors
13/02/2014
The Football Association's new facility at St. George's Park in Burton-on-Trent is now a showcase for off-site construction specialists the McAvoy Group. The County Tyrone company has unveiled the very latest in innovative off-site building techniques at the prestigious training ground in a bid to
13/02/2014
Lagan Valley Ulster Unionists have welcomed the news that contractors have been appointed to construct a new pedestrian footbridge at Moira Train Station. Councillor Brian Bloomfield, Alderman Jim Dillon, Alex Redpath and Alex Swan joined Transport Minister Danny Kennedy at the station as he anno
13/02/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced a £261,000 road improvement scheme in west Belfast. A resurfacing scheme is due to commence on Ladybrook Park, Belfast, on Monday 17 February 2014. The Minister said: "The scheme is being undertaken to improve the quality of the carriageway and footwa
12/02/2014
Irish renewable energy company Mainstream headed by Eddie O'Connor has unveiled eight utility-scale wind and solar projects which are to reach financial close and begin construction works this year. The projects, which are spread across four continents, have a combined capacity of over 1,000 megaw
12/02/2014
The Government has announced €70 million will be made available for a programme of repair and remediation works. This will enable local authorities in the areas worst affected by the storms, including the most recent flooding, to help affected communities by restoring roads, coastal protection and
12/02/2014
According to property consultants Savills Ireland, vacancy rates for industrial space in Dublin will continue to decline this year following record up-take of approx. 274,000 sq. m in 2013. In its latest commentary on the industrial property market, Savills notes that strong growth in the manufact
12/02/2014
Students from more than 100 schools nationwide gained an insight into the world of engineering yesterday, Tuesday, as 135 volunteers from ESB took part in the 'ESB Engineering Squad'. The initiative, which is part of Engineers Week 2014, aims to promote engineering as a career choice by showcasing
12/02/2014
Sinn Féin Spokesperson on the Environment Brian Stanley TD has claimed that the installation of water meters will lead to leaks that will cost millions to repair. He was speaking at a meeting of the Environment Committee which hosted the Managing Director of Irish water John Tierney on Tuesday afte
12/02/2014
North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds has hailed the proposed reallocation of European funding for a multi-million pound redevelopment of the Valley Park in Newtownabbey. Newtownabbey Borough Councils project, 'Voices from the Valley Park', has been offered £3.5 million pounds from the E.U's funding body,
12/02/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start a £130,000 resurfacing scheme on Seymour Street which includes the provision of a pedestrian crossing, on the slip road from Queens Road to Seymour Street, accommodated within the existing traffic signal arrangement. The work is due to begin
12/02/2014
SDLP Enterprise spokesperson and chair of the Assembly DETI committee Patsy McGlone met with key players in the construction industry to discuss issues affecting those involved in the sector, what measures are in place to help contractors and to assist first-time home buyers get on the property ladd
12/02/2014
Sinn Féin Councillor Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the announcement by Belfast City Council of a £2.5 million state of the art sports facility for Cherryvale as part of its Belfast Pitches Strategy. The Laganbank councillor said: "This is great news for the entire area and will benefit young and old
12/02/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £90,000 major resurfacing scheme on Stewartstown Road, Coalisland in Co Tyrone. The work is due to begin this week between the mini roundabout at the junction with Annagher Road and extend to the junction with the Brambles housing estate. T
11/02/2014
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, has announced a new €20m fund to assist the most distressed local authority mortgage holders. The fund will be used to offer the 'mortgage-to-rent' solution to these local authority mortgage holders across the country. "The mortgage arrears pro
11/02/2014
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published figures for emissions of four key air pollutants. The pollutants can cause respiratory problems, contribute to the acidification of soil and surface water, and damage vegetation. This latest information from the EPA shows that, in 2012, Irel
11/02/2014
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has urged Meath householders to have their say on water rates by engaging in the public consultation process due to begin in April. It comes after Deputy Doherty urged the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) to set lower water rates for households with h
11/02/2014
The House Price Index for the fourth quarter of 2013 has been published. The survey analyses the performance of the Northern Ireland housing market during the final quarter of 2013, the months of October, November and December. The report is concerned with trends and spatial patterns in the housing
11/02/2014
Labour TD, Michael McNamara, has requested the Government issue a letter of comfort to Clare County Council to provide reassurance that funding will be available for necessary repairs following the disastrous storms. Mr McNamara said: "The scale of destruction on the Clare coast and in the Shannon
11/02/2014
Archaeologists will be conducting test excavations as part of the ongoing work by the Department of the Environment to uncover more of the castle's history and to inform future development of the castle to enhance the visitor's experience. The castle has a long history and has been continuously occ
11/02/2014
Ulster Unionist Party Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster Sandra Overend has welcomed the news that there have been developments in the bid to extend the gas network to the West of Northern Ireland, with the Utility Regulator launching the licence application process. Mrs Overend, who is the Ulster Unio
11/02/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a £70,000 road improvement scheme on Killyman Road/Killymeal Road in Dungannon is scheduled to begin on Monday 17th February. The scheme, to remove the existing mini roundabout and introduce a traffic signalised junction, is expected to
11/02/2014
Mr Thomas Patrick Woodside of Castletown Road, Ballynure, was fined a total of £600 at Laganside Magistrates’ Court today for breaches of waste management legislation. In September 2012, officers from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency investigated a site adjacent to Castletown Road, Ballynur
11/02/2014
Senator Denis Landy will this week again question Mr. John Tierney, CEO of Water Ireland at the Oireachtas Environment Committee on the provision of a reservoir at Garryhinch, Portarlington for a stable supply of water to the Leinster region. Senator Landy said: "I have already raised this issue wi
10/02/2014
Fianna Fáil has launched a Bill aimed at protecting electricity customers who are struggling with their finances from being unfairly disconnected. The Energy Regulation (Code of Conduct) Bill 2013 came before the Dáil, which, if accepted, will protect customers in financial difficulty from having t
10/02/2014
Jazz Pharmaceuticals has announced that it has commenced construction of a manufacturing and development facility to be located on a 17-acre site in Monksland, County Roscommon, approximately 75 miles east of the company's Dublin headquarters. This is the first manufacturing facility to be built b
10/02/2014
ESB has welcomed the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) published by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD. The plan sets out policy structures to support the early stages of ocean energy development in Ireland, and includes the results of a
10/02/2014
Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams TD has reiterated his call for a specific aid package to assist householders and small businesses affected by recent flooding and for a more strategic approach by Government to the issue of flood defences. The Sinn Féin Leader was speaking as he visited New Ross, Cou
10/02/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning approval for the Northern Ireland's largest scheme to convert solar radiation into electricity. The application by Bombardier Aerospace at their Airport Road West, Belfast plant is for the installation of roof mounted photovoltaic panels. Th
10/02/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £215,000 major resurfacing scheme at Victoria Road, Newbuildings in Co L'Derry. Work will commence on Monday 17 February 2014 and last for approximately three weeks. The Minister said: "This scheme will greatly improve the st
07/02/2014
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Arts, Heritage, Sport & Tourism, Sandra McLellan TD, has highlighted the need to preserve Moore Street. Speaking in the Dáil, Ms McLellan said: "The need to preserve Moore Street as a national monument is now at a critical stage as it continues to fall into serious disrepa
07/02/2014
Labour Senator John Gilroy has welcomed the Government's announcement that a further €50m is to be spent on new flood defences for Cork. During a visit to the city, the Minister of State in charge of the Office of Public Works, Brian Hayes TD, confirmed that Cork has been upgraded to the Number One
07/02/2014
Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Mr Pat Rabbitte, TD, has launched the Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan (OREDP) to provide a framework for the sustainable development of Ireland's offshore renewable energy resources. Speaking at the Ocean Energy Industry Forum in D
07/02/2014
Fianna Fáil Leader on Dublin City Council, Councillor Mary Fitzpatrick, has demanded that Irish Water foot the €136,000 bill for leaks caused by the installation of water meters. Councillor Fitzpatrick has said it's "disgraceful" that Dublin City Council, which had to hand over millions of euro in
07/02/2014
Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has welcomed a project to build a new gas pipeline for towns west of the Bann. The Gas to the West project will serve the towns of Strabane, Omagh, Enniskillen, Derrylin, Dungannon, Coalisland, Cookstown and Magherafelt and will cost around £200m. It is understood like
07/02/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland checks in on £2.3m public realm scheme to transform Dungannon town centre. The Minster was taken on a tour of the first phase of work which is already underway in the town. The Market Square in the centre of the town is being transformed into a space fo
07/02/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially opened a new £1.2m family social housing scheme at Loughview Terrace, North Belfast. The development of five townhouses and four apartments, one of which has been designed for wheelchair use, was provided by Grove Housing Association wit
07/02/2014
Upper Bann Ulster Unionist Sam Gardiner MLA, has welcomed an announcement by DRD Minister Danny Kennedy of a £1.5m road improvement scheme for the A3 Northway, Portadown. Minister Kennedy said: "This is a significant investment in Portadown and involves a major road widening scheme which will resu
06/02/2014
For the first time since the days of the Celtic Tiger, local authorities are to receive funding to build new homes, a move welcomed by Deputy Eamonn Maloney. Over the next two years a €65m building programme will see new houses being constructed. Mr Maloney said: "In addition to the €65m building
06/02/2014
With the recent good news that a proposed €44m extension to the Square Shopping Centre and an investment of €50m for the Urgent Care Unit for Tallaght Hospital, local Labour Deputy, Eamonn Maloney has called for a quota of jobs for local people in both construction projects. Mr Maloney said: "These
06/02/2014
ESB has announced that for the second year running it is launching the Great Electric Drive, which will offer members of the public and the business community the opportunity to become an ecar ambassador and trial an electric vehicle for a four month period during 2014/2015. ESB is looking for 24 e
06/02/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced that its survey work to identify and review listed buildings in Belfast is gathering pace. The work is now underway in North, West and parts of East Belfast. This follows work last year in Central Belfast. The aim of this 'Second Survey' is to prod
06/02/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced approval for Northern Ireland's first large-scale solar farm in Downpatrick. The planning application by BNRG Northern Power for a 27-acre 5.1MW photovoltaic solar farm and sub-station will be capable of generating electricity to power over 1,500 hom
06/02/2014
Fianna Fáil has introduced new legislation to bring EirGrid under the powers of the Freedom of Information Act (FoI). Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Seán Fleming has moved the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill in the Dáil. Deputy Fleming commented: "This is about openness and
06/02/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced £100,000 funding to help conserve two important listed buildings in Portadown. The funding boost will be given to Portadown 2000 to help them purchase the Old Methodist Church and Manse at 26 and 28 Thomas Street, Portadown. A grant scheme run by th
05/02/2014
Minister Varadkar has launched Blessington Greenway. The new development, which is on land that was made available by the ESB who own the land surrounding the lakes, covers 6.5km of walking and cycling trails through the forest and woodlands taking in some spectacular scenery adjacent to the shorel
05/02/2014
Fine Gael Carlow TD, Pat Deering, has today (Tuesday) said a new revitalisation plan for Carlow will boost business opportunities and job creation in the town. The 'Carlow Town Team Revitalisation Programme', which has been launched this morning by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation,
05/02/2014
A new strategy aimed at guiding the future promotion and development of Kilkee, Co Clare, was launched at Cultúrlann Sweeney. 'Towards a Better Kilkee: A Town Improvement & Economic Development Strategy 2014-2024' has been prepared by Clare County Council, in association with Kilkee Town Council an
05/02/2014
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Ferris TD, has said he will ask Minister Simon Coveney about the conditions of contracts being signed by farmers with wind energy companies for the erection of turbines on their land. Deputy Ferris has tabled a question to the Minis
05/02/2014
Phil Hogan TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced that the Government has allocated an immediate initial allocation of €15m for emergency purposes pending a fuller assessment of the situation over the coming weeks. This is in addition to funding already availabl
05/02/2014
Planning permission has been granted for Northern Ireland's first large scale solar farm. The 5.1 MW facility, being developed by BNRG Northern Power, will be located in East Down on the outskirts of Downpatrick and will deliver an investment of £6m and create around 50 jobs during construction and
05/02/2014
The Football Association's new facility at St. George's Park in Burton-on-Trent is now a showcase for off-site construction specialists the McAvoy Group. The County Tyrone company has unveiled the very latest in innovative off-site building techniques at the prestigious training ground in a bid to
05/02/2014
SDLP Lisburn Councillor Brian Heading has urged energy companies to offer top-ups for customers on pre-pay tariffs across the board, to bring it in line with that offered to consumers in the Republic. Councillor Heading said the current cheapest tariff available to keypad customers in the north, fr
04/02/2014
Belfast-based ice cream manufacturer Riada is set to save 70% on their annual energy bills after teaming up with leading heating engineering specialists BS Holdings and local wood pellet fuel supplier brites. The partnership has involved the installation of an innovative biomass boiler system by BS
04/02/2014
HP Ireland today announced the formal commencement of the construction phase of its new 89,000 sq. ft. office building in Ballybrit, Galway, at a ceremony attended by Ireland's Taoiseach Enda Kenny. Construction of the new office on the existing HP site in Ballybrit was announced last year by HP. T
04/02/2014
Speaking from Monaghan today the Sinn Féin EU Midlands North West candidate, Councillor Matt Carthy, has called on the government to abandon its plans to double the carbon tax on 1 May 2014. Councillor Carthy said: "On the 1st May the Government is due to double the carbon tax which will increase t
04/02/2014
SSE, the UK and Ireland's broadest-based energy company has announced that it is unveiling SSE Airtricity as the new brand name for its energy supply and energy services businesses in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The new SSE Airtricity brand replaces the existing Airtricity brand. From today, SS
04/02/2014
Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick, Willie O'Dea, has called for a flood protection review to be carried out in Limerick City after last night's flash floods devastated parts of the city. Deputy O'Dea said: "Homes in King's Island and St Mary's Park in particular were severely affected by the flash floods
04/02/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has recommended planning approval for a new retail development in Omagh town centre. The application is for the extension and alteration to existing retail premises to provide 2,274 square meters of floorspace. This will include a hot food cafe, new service yard,
04/02/2014
Dublin City Council have passed a motion to return authority over waste management to the Council. Councillors made the decision at a meeting on Monday evening. A review of the waste management licences will now be initiated. The Council will also ask the Environment Minister to change the Waste
04/02/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced that DOE Planning has recommended planning approval for a new school building for Arvalee School and Resource Centre in Omagh. The building is the first school to be erected within the Lisanelly Shared Education campus and will allow pupils to transf
04/02/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the extension of a current resurfacing scheme at Ballykeigle Road, Ballygowan. Allocation of additional funding has ensured that the entire length of Ballykeigle Road can now be resurfaced. The total cost of the scheme is £205,000. Preparatory work is
03/02/2014
Ireland's competitive business energy provider Energia has entered the residential electricity and gas market with a new offer for consumers nationwide. The launch was attended by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, T.D. Energia's offer will guarantee savi
03/02/2014
Pat Rabbitte TD Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and Brian Hayes TD Minister of State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works have announced the provision of €9m in Government funding over the next three years, for the expansion of the OPW's Optimising Pow
03/02/2014
Ulster Unionist Party MLA for South Antrim, Danny Kinahan, has said that news of Newry construction firm MJM Marine buying the assets belonging to Mivan in Antrim, is a silver lining "in a very dark cloud". Mr Kinahan said: "The news that the Newry firm, MJM group have bought the Mivan Factory and
03/02/2014
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Dublin Senator Darragh O'Brien has called on the Environment Minister Phil Hogan and Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte to contact their counterparts in Westminster amid concerns of increased radioactivity at Sellafield. He said: "Any potential health risk at Sellafield is of
03/02/2014
Fianna Fáil's Leader on Dublin City Council and candidate in the European Parliament elections, Mary Fitzpatrick has responded to the reports of Labour Party "plans" to cut property tax, but only after the local elections and only on councils where they take the majority of seats. Councillor Fitzpa
03/02/2014
Sinn Féin candidate for the EU Midlands North West constituency, Matt Carthy, has announced that he is to host a fringe event at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis on the issue of proposed plans by EirGrid and NIE to impose pylon supported high voltage power lines on communities across the island. Mr Carthy m
03/02/2014
Two local properties companies and their directors pleaded guilty to storing and depositing waste, including asbestos, at Belfast Crown Court. Each company was sentenced to a two year conditional discharge. Each Director was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years. Brackhill L
03/02/2014
Alexion Pharma Ireland Trading, a subsidiary of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced that it has agreed to purchase a vialling facility in Athlone, Co Roscommon, Ireland. The closing of the acquisition is expected to occur during the first quarter of 2014. Alexion expects to invest to
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