Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for May 2012
31/05/2012
One of Lisburn's best-known historic but derelict buildings has been rescued thanks to financial assistance from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. Eglantine House, Hillsborough, virtually destroyed by fire in September 1990, has been restored to its former condition with listed building gran
31/05/2012
Environment Minister Alex Attwood said today that he would do all he can to bring forward climate change legislation for Northern Ireland. Speaking at a seminar organised by his Department to discuss the case for such legislation, Mr Attwood said that climate change was one of the greatest challeng
31/05/2012
Irish Crane & Lifting ltd is proud to announce that the upgraded version of their website is now online, promoting hoist units and crane kits from SWF Krantechnik and complete range of Colombus McKinnon industrial products.
31/05/2012
The Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte T.D., welcomed the call by the European Commission for interested project promoters to submit information on potential "Projects of Common Interest" under the new draft guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure. Pro
31/05/2012
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster today officially opened new state of the art premises for Fermanagh company, Webtech (NI) Ltd. Webtech NI provides a wide range of packaging services to the food and drinks industry, including a number of high profile customers such as Coca-Cola, Tesco, Sainsbury’s
31/05/2012
Following disappointments and setbacks the East Derry SDLP Assembly Member john Dallat has expressed hope that a new dawn will emerge on the future of the Derry-Belfast Railway providing a long term to solution to the stop start programme of renewal. The renewed spark of confidence follows a presen
31/05/2012
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the County and City Managers’ Association (CCMA) on the acquisition of sites for new schools. The MoU formalises a partnership between the Department of Education and Skills and local aut
30/05/2012
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson today visited the Braidwater Ltd in Ballymena where he met new home owners funded through Co-Ownership. Following the October monitoring round the Minister announced an additional £10milllion of funding towards affordable home schemes in 2011-12 and for each of the fo
30/05/2012
Gerry Kelly MLA along with councillors Tierna Cunningham and Conor Maskey met today with representatives from Lansdowne Court Hotel Administrator, Deloitte. Additional assurances were given to the party representatives in relation to staff rights in the context of redundancy and Deloitte representa
30/05/2012
Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Fermanagh & South Tyrone Tom Elliott MLA accepted an invitation by Cathal Hagan to visit the H2 factories outside Dungannon on Wednesday 23 May 2012 and was highly impressed with their unique range of products which is proving very popular in the market place. Mr
30/05/2012
SIPTU will commence a ballot for industrial action of its members employed in local authority water services across the country in the coming weeks. The SIPTU Local Authority Sector Committee is currently conducting a series of regional meetings of the 2,500 union members employed in local authorit
30/05/2012
Joan Freeman, Founder and CEO of Pieta House, will be one of the 40 Irish Olympic Torch Bearers when the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay reaches Dublin on 6th June. Joan was selected to participate in the relay by Electric Ireland, Official Energy Partner to Team Ireland. "I'm honoured that Electric Irela
30/05/2012
Education Minister, John O’Dowd, has approved the establishment of a new Irish-medium primary school in Dungiven. The school, to be known as Gaelscoil Neachtain, is the first Irish-medium school to open in the controlled sector anywhere in the north. Alongside approving the establishment of the ne
29/05/2012
Sinn Féin MLA Oliver McMullan has welcomed the expansion of the Boiler Replacement Scheme due to commence in September 2012. Mr McMullan said: "The Pilot Boiler Replacement Scheme was completed in March 2012 and following the success of the initiative the scheme is being extended right across the N
29/05/2012
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Andrew Montague and Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’ Sullivan T.D., jointly unveiled a plaque to officially open the €14 million Sean Treacy House Regeneration Project, Buckingham Street, Dublin. "Communities are the heart of our city and that’s why I am so pleased th
29/05/2012
Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland has welcomed news that the Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland is preparing to explore Ulster Unionist proposals and launch a pilot area based approach in the fight against fuel poverty. The East Belfast representative, who is also his Party’s Social
29/05/2012
More than 50 engineers representing architects, consultancies and BMS providers from across Ireland recently joined WindowMaster (
29/05/2012
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has congratulated Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of the record number of road resurfacing schemes in 2011/2012 which accounted for £9.8million on expenditure in Fermanagh. Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Servic
29/05/2012
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) proposes to invest €2 billion in Ireland to complete construction work in progress and develop greenfield sites, in anticipation of future supply shortages in some market segments, the Agency’s Chairman said today. Speaking in Galway, Frank Daly said this
29/05/2012
SDLP Party Leader Alasdair McDonnell has said that his party's stance on the regeneration of the Girdwood Barracks site is clear – there must be 220 houses on the site to meet local housing need. He said: "For the SDLP the acid test for the development of the Girdwood site is straightforward - will
28/05/2012
Speaking in Dublin today, Pat Rabbitte T.D, Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources highlighted the scope for Ireland to be an exporter of renewable energy of significance. "Given the scale of our wind resources, in the medium term we could be exporting wind energy on a scale that
28/05/2012
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced that Corick House hotel in Co Tyrone is investing £1.4million in a major expansion supported by Invest Northern Ireland. Corick House is a 17th-century William and Mary style country house situated in Clogher valley. It is planning to add 24 double en
28/05/2012
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster today launched an innovative meter data management product that has the potential to sell globally. Smart meters allow consumers to monitor and manage their consumption bills and provide more valuable information to the energy supplier about usage patterns. The Af
28/05/2012
The Vita Cortex workers left the company’s plant on the Kinsale Road in Cork for the last time, bringing to an end their 161 day occupation of the facility. The move follows the payment by the company to the workers of the monies agreed as a final and just settlement to the long running dispute. S
28/05/2012
Labour TD Kevin Humphreys said the figures rom the Central Bank showing that over 10% of mortgage holders are in arrears of 90 days or more shows clearly the need for Permanent TSB to cut the high standard variable rate (SVR) of interest that it is charging to mortgage customers. He said: "At the
28/05/2012
Ulster Unionist Social Development spokesperson, Michael Copeland MLA has said that it is vital that Minister Nelson McCausland implements the committee’s recommendations on tackling fuel poverty immediately to ensure lives are not put at risk this winter. Speaking ahead of a debate on the matter
28/05/2012
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), the electricity network company, has awarded two top electrical engineering students a Scholarship worth £24,000 each. Daniel Robinson and Mark Lindsay are the first students to benefit from the NIE Electrical Engineering Scholarship Programme, which is being run
25/05/2012
Fianna Fáil Environment Spokesperson Niall Collins TD has called on Minister Phil Hogan to open an independent inquiry into the planning system in Waterford. The call comes following the conviction of Fine Gael Councillor Fred Forsey for corruption in relation to planning issues. Deputy Collins
25/05/2012
Dr Brian Motherway has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Speaking of the appointment, Mr Brendan Halligan, Chairman of the Board of SEAI said: "The Board is delighted that a person of Dr Motherway’s calibre will now lead the organisatio
25/05/2012
Ulster Unionist housing spokesperson Michael Copeland has said that he accepts the reality which shaped the Girdwood decision but has questioned the Alliance Party's negativity in relation to the matter. The Belfast MLA described the publication of the Girdwood Barracks regeneration plan as 'a regr
25/05/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced a £12million boiler replacement scheme to improve energy efficiency in 16,000 homes across Northern Ireland. The scheme, which will launch in September this year, will be open to owner occupiers who earn less than £40,000 and with a ineffi
25/05/2012
Speaking after a cross-party motion, proposed by Sinn Féin and supported by 50 TDs on the preservation and restoration of the 1916 battlefield site, at Moore Street, Dublin, was opposed by the government in the Dáil, Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams TD, said: "There was a serious effort to get all par
25/05/2012
SDLP MP for South Down, Margaret Ritchie, has called on the Conservative-led government to rethink its Draft Energy Bill. Speaking as the government unveiled their Draft Bill at Westminster Margaret Ritchie, criticised the ongoing commitment to fossil fuels and the nuclear industry: "It could not b
25/05/2012
The average price of a house in Northern Ireland has fallen by more than 10% in the last year, the worst rate in the whole of the UK. A figure of 10.7% was released by the Office for National Statistics, which said Northern Ireland had "experienced strong falls in house prices since 2008". And a n
24/05/2012
Fine Gael Cork South Central TD, Jerry Buttimer, has said that the NAMA guidelines regarding the sale of assets are not sufficient and need to be revised. "I submitted a question to Minister for Finance asking that he would instruct NAMA to ensure that the sale of any of its properties is done in a
24/05/2012
NI Water have announced that it will be commencing construction work on an essential storm sewer improvement scheme for the Millreagh Housing Development on the Carrowreagh Road, Dundonald. Work is scheduled to get underway on Monday 28th May and will last approximately six months. Approximately
24/05/2012
The Executive Committee of the SIPTU Manufacturing Division has congratulated the Vita Cortex workers, their families and supporters on securing a satisfactory outcome to the long running dispute at the company’s plant on the Kinsale Road in Cork. Following a meeting of the Executive Committee in D
24/05/2012
Public Building Retrofit, New Electricity Interconnectors, and the Dublin Metro and Underground DART Line are needed and "shovel ready" to go, according to the Green Party. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan encouraged the Government to put three investment projects at the top of the Stimulus List that
24/05/2012
Starting today Northern Ireland householders will be able to obtain support towards the costs of installing a renewable energy heating system in their homes. Launching the scheme, Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster said the move will offer local people real choice when it comes to heating their home
24/05/2012
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, TD, will convene a joint meeting of the Cross-Departmental Team on Homelessness and the National Consultative Committee on Homelessness in the Custom House. It is the first meeting of the joint committee since autumn 2010. The Committee brings t
24/05/2012
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Environment, Community & Local Government, Brian Stanley TD, has today challenged Minster Hogan to stop using the mantra of cost cutting meanwhile his real intention is to attack local democracy and independent agencies. Speaking during the Dáil debate on the Local Governm
24/05/2012
SDLP Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh Dominic Bradley MLA has welcomed todays planning approval announcement by Planning Minister Alex Attwood MLA for a major development at the Greenbank in Newry which will create up to 1,130 new jobs. The mixed use development consists of non-food retail outl
23/05/2012
Libraries Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín today officially opened the refurbished Newry City Library after a £320,000 investment by her Department. The refurbishment has allowed for increased space across three floors with a new community meeting room, exhibition space as well as access to a wider range
23/05/2012
The proposal to knock down the majority of the National Monument on 14-17 Moore St would constitute cultural vandalism, according to Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane. The Waterford senator was speaking on the order of business today, where he called on the government to commit to protecting the si
23/05/2012
SDLP Housing spokesperson Mark H Durkan MLA has said serious questions must be answered following BBC revelations relating to a Crossgar land deal between Trinity Housing Association and developer Ken Campbell. The Foyle MLA said: "This story about Trinity Housing Association is disturbing in many
23/05/2012
Fianna Fáil TD for Laois-Offaly Seán Fleming is pleased to highlight NAMA investment in County Laois, through the recent major upgrade of the Laois Shopping Centre in Portlaoise. Deputy Fleming said: "I am delighted to confirm that the funding provided by NAMA for the Laois Shopping Centre has cont
23/05/2012
New facilities in Fermoy Community Hospital have been officially opened by Mrs. Eily Whelan, St Patrick's Hospital Fundraising Association and local businessman Dr. Tom Cavanagh. The Dochas (which means hope) Ward is a 30 bed unit catering for older people in the area who require continuing, conval
23/05/2012
The Department of Environment has served an Urgent Works Notice on the owner of Ballyloran House, Ballyhampton Road, Larne. This listed building, which is on the Built Heritage at Risk in Northern Ireland (BHARNI) register, is a gabled farmhouse built in 1868 with a large two storey return probably
23/05/2012
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson today welcomed a new Official Statistics publication that will provide a benchmark for the performance of the residential property market in Northern Ireland, using information on all sales from Land & Property Services and HMRC data sources. The new Northern Ireland R
23/05/2012
Sinn Féin Enterprise Spokesperson, Phil Flanagan MLA has said that it is regrettable that the Green New Deal will not proceed as planned and that the £12 million ear marked for the scheme will instead be given to the Housing Executive to deliver energy efficiency measures. Speaking after questionin
22/05/2012
Northern Ireland could soon be hosting the construction of the UK's first spaceport, according to a new report into the UK space industry. The report, from the Institute of Directors (IoD), examined the growth and potential of the £8billion space sector, currently supporting 85,000 jobs, and has pu
22/05/2012
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has congratulated Roads Service's planned investment totalling £3.2million for maintenance schemes and operations in the Craigavon District Council. Speaking ahead of a meeting between Roads Service and Craigavon District Council, the Minister said: "Last year's bud
22/05/2012
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, has announced that Bord Gáis Energy (BGE) is to open two new wind farms in 2012 that will provide enough power for over 30,000 homes. At the official opening of Bord Gáis Energy's first developed wind farm, Ballymartin
22/05/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has revealed ambitious plans for the regeneration of the Girdwood Park former military base. Minister McCausland said: "I am delighted to announce, with my fellow political representatives, an ambitious renewal agenda for North Belfast with my Department
22/05/2012
A total reorganisation of how regeneration is delivered in Limerick will ensure that the focus shifts to building quality homes and sustainable communities, Minister for Housing and Planning Jan O’Sullivan TD said. "Last February I announced a complete transformation of how regeneration is delivere
21/05/2012
Labour T.D. for Louth, Gerald Nash has welcomed the resolution of the industrial dispute at the Irish Cement plant at Platin, Co. Meath. A dispute over the implementation of a Labour Court recommendation continued for several weeks. "I was happy to support the very reasonable request from workers
21/05/2012
SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has called on the Consumer Council to investigate the substantial increase in the standing charge for Calor Gas cylinders from £35 to £142. "The standing charge was £35 for many years and undoubtedly due to market forces and the economic recession, Calor Gas unil
21/05/2012
Education Minister, John O’Dowd has officially opened new nursery accommodation at Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh in west Belfast. During the visit to the school on the Ballymurphy Road, the Minister met with pupils, staff, parents and members of the local community. He also planted a tree in memory o
21/05/2012
The increase in the number of people in mortgage arrears continues to accelerate as the Government drags its feet on introducing necessary reforms to Ireland’s personal insolvency regime, according to Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath. Deputy McGrath was commenting on media reports o
21/05/2012
Roads Service is due to commence work in preparation for the resurfacing of two stretches of the A29 Moy Road, Armagh from north of Blackwatertown Road to near Knockaconey Road and from south of Corrigan Hill Road to south of Charlemont Road. The improvements will provide new surfacing to the carri
21/05/2012
Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams TD, has announced a Dáil motion to be proposed this week, with the support of over 50 opposition TDs, to save and restore the 1916 battlefield site at Moore Street, Dublin. At the announcement of the wording, Deputy Adams was accompanied to the site by acclaimed star o
21/05/2012
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has officially opened the €5 million extension and refurbishment at Finn Valley College, Co Donegal. Finn Valley College has 264 second-level students and the new building allows for the future growth of the school, to accommodate 325 studen
18/05/2012
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., today officially opened the €5 million extension and refurbishment at Finn Valley College, Co. Donegal. Finn Valley College has 264 second-level students and the new building allows for the future growth of the school, to accommodate 325 stu
18/05/2012
The Control of Asbestos Regulations (NI) 2012 come into force on Monday 28th May 2012, updating previous asbestos regulations to take account of the European Commission's view that the UK had not fully implemented the EU Directive on exposure to asbestos (Directive 2009/148/EC). This creates a new
18/05/2012
Irish Cement workers voted yesterday to accept proposals agreed between the company and worker representatives which provide for an equitable conclusion to the dispute at Irish Cement Ltd production plants in Castlemungret, Co. Limerick and Platin, Co. Meath. SIPTU Organiser, Karan O'Loughlin, said
18/05/2012
Education Minister, John O’Dowd, has turned down a development proposal for the establishment of a 26 place full-time nursery unit at Iveagh Primary School, Rathfriland. Explaining the reasons for his decision, Mr O’Dowd commented: "My views on the value of pre-school provision for young children a
18/05/2012
Senator Darragh O’Brien has said he is "extremely shocked and disappointed by a decision by Councillors on Fingal County Council to block the legitimate campaign efforts of the Reclaim Fingal Alliance on the proposed construction of a monster sewerage plant in North Dublin". Following a County Coun
18/05/2012
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has awarded John Sisk the contract to construct the new Dun Laoghaire Library, Arts, Community and Cultural Centre. Construction has commenced and is due for completion in January 2014. The Cultural Centre will include a performance space with seating for 10
17/05/2012
Junior Ministers Martina Anderson and Jonathan Bell today welcomed plans for a major new entrepreneurial development project in North Belfast. The Belfast Distillery Company, led by local man Peter Lavery, has been chosen as the preferred developer for the lease and regeneration opportunity of A Wi
17/05/2012
Meath TD Dominic Hannigan is introducing a bill to speed up the process of council's taking over estates abandoned by bankrupt builders. The Labour Deputy is introducing a Private Members Bill in the Dáil today aimed at reducing the time it takes to get an unfinished estate taken in charge by local
17/05/2012
SDLP Mayor of Lisburn Brian Heading has hit out at an announcement by Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy that his department will not foot the bill for unfinished roads in estates where developers went bust. DRD announced that the £300m cost would not come out of the public purse – indeed,
17/05/2012
Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland has announced that a 'preferred developer' had been appointed to redevelop the important Mall West site in Armagh City centre. Next to the historic Mall in the City the development site consists of part of the existing multi- storey car park, adjacent
17/05/2012
Some radical proposals to reform Ireland's oil and gas fiscal and licensing regime have been proposed by an Oireachtas committee, including recommendations made by SIPTU last Autumn. Among the recommendations made by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agricultur
17/05/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has released the 2011/12 out turn figures for new build social and affordable homes. Two thousand and fifty three new home starts have been delivered in 2011/12, keeping the Programme for Government target firmly on track and realising an overall invest
16/05/2012
Airtricity, Northern Ireland's fastest-growing energy provider, has entered into an agreement with Phoenix Energy Holdings Limited to acquire Phoenix Supply Limited, Northern Ireland's market leading gas supplier. Phoenix Supply is the regulated supplier of natural gas to around 130,000 domestic a
16/05/2012
Dublin North East Labour TD, Seán Kenny today strongly opposed the location of the North Dublin Sewage Treatment Plant at Clonshaugh, near Dublin Airport, as one of the three site options proposed for consideration by Fingal County Council. "There are more than 2500 residential buildings within 0.5
16/05/2012
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has approved the establishment of a 26 place part-time nursery unit at Bronte Primary School, Banbridge. Commenting on his decision, the Minister said: "The establishment of this new facility will be a welcome announcement to the area and will provide nursery provis
16/05/2012
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has congratulated Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of the record number of road resurfacing schemes in 2011/2012 which amounted to £2.12million. Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Service and Limavady Borough Counci
16/05/2012
SDLP Dunmurry Cllr Brian Heading has welcomed the approval of planning applications for social housing and a youth centre in the Dunmurry Lane and Poleglass areas of his district. Cllr Heading said: "I am delighted that the application for the construction of social houses has been approved at Uppe
16/05/2012
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has encouraged local companies to grasp the opportunities offered by the offshore renewable energy sector. The Minister was speaking at an event organised by Invest Northern Ireland and The Crown Estate which briefed over 300 business people on developments in the
15/05/2012
Newcastle Alliance Councillor has called on the Environment Minister Alex Atwood to consider funding environmental improvement works and better promotion of Dundrum Castle as a historical, environmental and major tourist attraction for the east coast of Down. The Newcastle Councillor has written
15/05/2012
SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has called for a renewed commitment to establish a regular rail service between Derry and Dublin during Assembly Questions to the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on cross-border issues. Mr Dallat also welcomed the commitment to upgrade two sections of the A5
15/05/2012
Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland breaks ground to make way for new homes in Belfast's Village area. The new social housing scheme at Ebor/Frenchpark Street will see the development of 37 new homes, in the first phase of a new social housing scheme by Fold Housing Association. The sec
15/05/2012
A Belfast planning consultant has been appointed to the global governing council of one of the world's largest and most influential professional bodies. Diana Fitzsimons, Planning Director of the planning and urban design consultancy Turley Associates has been appointed to the prestigious role by t
15/05/2012
Dublin Labour MEP Emer Costello has welcomed An Bord Pleanála's approval of Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) for a unified campus for the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) combined with a new HSE Mental Health facility and Primary care services at Grangegorman, Dublin 7. The proposal is also si
15/05/2012
Northern Ireland Transport Minister Danny Kennedy recently visited the site of the new £27.8m Train Maintenance Facility at Adelaide in South Belfast currently being constructed by GRAHAM Construction. Minister Danny Kennedy said:"I can see that building and fitting out is well underway at the site
14/05/2012
Environment Minister, Alex Attwood has today launched definitive guidance for rural building projects. The document, 'Building on Tradition' is a best practice design guide that aims to assist all of those involved with sustainable development in the Northern Ireland countryside to understand the r
14/05/2012
Senator Mary Moran, Labour Seanad spokesperson on Education, today welcomed the announcement by Minister Ruairí Quinn that €39.7 million is to be spent on the construction of new facilities and the refurbishment of existing amenities at St Patrick's school, Drumcondra. "I am delighted to hear that
14/05/2012
Sinn Fein's Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has called on Minister for Environment Phil Hogan to immediately introduce the promised legislation to regulate the domestic and commercial waste industry. Responding to reports that Greyhound waste has sold its interest in Dublin's commercial rubbish collection bus
14/05/2012
Airtricity, one of Northern Ireland's fastest-growing energy providers, has switched over 100,000 homes and businesses, meaning more energy users across the country are now benefiting from better energy value and enjoying a better energy future. The company, owned by the FTSE listed and Perth, Scot
14/05/2012
NI Water have announced that it will be commencing construction work on a new water supply main and water pumping station from the River Strule near Newtownstewart to Derg Water Treatment Works. The project represents an investment by NI Water of £3.6m in securing the local treated water supply an
14/05/2012
A Co Tyrone farmer yesterday pleaded guilty and was fined £750 plus court costs of £22 at Strabane Magistrates Court. Mr Mervyn Nelson, 113 Camus Road, Douglas Bridge, Co Tyrone was fined for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. On 31 August 2011, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf
14/05/2012
KCC was delighted to be part of the prestigious project in UCD, We had the mission to combine extreme Acoustic performance levels with fire resistance for timber doors within steel frame profiles. We were aware of the conflicts when trying to achieve Acoustic performance and fire resistance in one
11/05/2012
Northern Ireland’s construction sector downturn eased marginally in the first quarter of 2012, according to the latest RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Construction Market Survey, however Northern Ireland didn't experience the uplift in activity that was evident elsewhere in the UK.
11/05/2012
Sinn Féin spokesperson on environment, community and local government, Brian Stanley TD, today challenged environment minister, Phil Hogan TD, to reveal how much the establishment and running of Irish Water will cost the exchequer. Stanley said: “The government is committed to taking control of the
11/05/2012
Northern Ireland Electricity has a new stand in the Nugent Hall at the Balmoral show from 16th to 18th May. There will be engineers on hand to talk to anyone interested in installing a renewable technology such as a wind turbine or anaerobic digester. Their connections experts will be able to take
11/05/2012
NI Water has installed a modern new wastewater treatment unit at Knock Terrace just outside Rathfriland as part of its multi-million pound Rural Wastewater Investment Project. The modern infrastructure now in place at the housing development off the Lisnacroppin Road, includes a new fully enclosed
11/05/2012
As part of its Province wide Watermains Rehabilitation Programme, NI Water, together with its contractors, Lagan Construction Ltd, will shortly commence work on a £2 Million investment to improve and upgrade the watermains network in the North Down area. The work will commence on Friday 8th June 201
11/05/2012
Antrim Council has announced a new air conditioning system is being installed at the Old Courthouse. The Old Courthouse provides a multi-purpose auditorium that is now established as a major venue for performing arts programmes, conferences and weddings. When the original plans for the Grade A lis
10/05/2012
Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has announced the appointment by the Government of Mr. Gerard O’Leary as a Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A vacancy at Director level on the Board of the EPA was created following the appointm
10/05/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced £45,000 funding towards the production of a masterplan for the regeneration of Ballymoney town centre. The masterplan will serve to identify the strategic vision and regeneration opportunities in Ballymoney and how they can be realised. M
10/05/2012
Energy Minister Arlene Foster has met with a number of large energy users to discuss their concerns about the cost of energy. After the meeting Arlene Foster said: "Energy costs are one of the major issues facing businesses in the current tough economic climate. "Continuing to develop a competitiv
10/05/2012
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has announced that he has asked the Housing Executive to review their specification for the supply and fitting of double glazing. In the Programme for Government the Northern Ireland Executive gave a commitment to improve the thermal efficiency of all Housing Exec
10/05/2012
DS Supplies Ltd is now the UK & Ireland's distributor of Eureka DIY Solutions. We are taking advantage of the growing trend of home makers and first time DIY people fixing things around the home and doing repairs themselves. We have a total solution that manages the supply of fasteners to retaile
10/05/2012
Stroma Technology, leading providers of building compliance assessments and energy carbon consultancy services, delivered a package of complementary services on the ground breaking Oberon Court residential development, one of London's most energy-conscious yet. The scheme was awarded a Level 5 Code
10/05/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has launched a masterplan for Coleraine town centre. The purpose of the masterplan is to provide the strategic vision that will guide the regeneration and development of Coleraine town centre over the next 15 years. Mr McCausland said: "Coleraine is a
10/05/2012
Fianna Fáil Transport Spokesperson Timmy Dooley has raised a number of concerns about the Government’s decision to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and merge it with some functions from Shannon Development. Deputy Dooley said: "Shannon Airport is currently receiving €8m a
09/05/2012
Alliance Environment spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has called on the Executive to introduce a climate change act for Northern Ireland. She made the comments at an event she sponsored at Stormont called "Stop Climate Chaos" organised by Friends of the Earth. Anna Lo MLA said: "The Alliance Party strongly
09/05/2012
SDLP Social Development spokesperson Mark H Durkan has said he is concerned by DSD Minister Nelson McCausland’s decision to suspend the double-glazing scheme he rolled out across a variety of Housing Executive properties and has suggested that questions need to be answered about the tendering proces
09/05/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of over £167,000 towards a Neighbourhood Renewal Coordinator in Omagh for a further three years. Mr McCausland said: "This project will provide real and significant benefits to people in the Omagh Neighbourhood Renewal Area. "The
09/05/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced further funding of over £110,000 for Ballykeel Environment Action Team (BEAT) N.I Ltd, Ballymena. The funding will contribute towards the employment of five people for a social economy project operating from Ballykeel Business Units in the
09/05/2012
Labour T.D., Ciaran Lynch has welcomed the proposal by NAMA today that they are to introduce a pilot mortgage scheme which will insulate first time buyers from the threat of negative equity by up to 20 per cent. "For too long too much focus has been on the acquiring of property for speculation purp
09/05/2012
Sinn Féin MLA Phil Flanagan has said that a warning from DCAL Minister Caral Ni Chuilin during Question Time in the Assembly on the potential damages that fracking could have on fish stocks and fisheries in Fermanagh must be heeded. Mr Flanagan said: "During Question Time in the Assembly, the issue
09/05/2012
Irish Cement workers are protesting outside the CRH Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, today (Wednesday, 9th May) as part of their campaign to secure monies which are owed to them. The workers, from the Irish Cement Ltd production plants in Castlemun
09/05/2012
JMW Farms Limited (Co. Armagh) was fined a record £187,500, plus £13,000 costs, at Belfast's Laganside Crown Court for health and safety failings that led to the death of 45-year-old employee Robert Wilson. The company is the first in Northern Ireland to be convicted under new Corporate Manslaughte
08/05/2012
Energy Minister Arlene Foster has announced the publication of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP). The Action Plan outlines the various initiatives being undertaken by the Northern Ireland Executive and includes a statement of leadership from the Executive, demonstrating a united and long-la
08/05/2012
North Dublin households may soon be forced to pay an entirely new charge for waste water services, on top of water charges. It emerged in the Dáil this week that the Environment Minister Phil Hogan is considering extra annual charges for households attached to public sewerage schemes. North Du
08/05/2012
Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson is encouraging business owners to take advantage of the Empty Premises Relief which came into effect on 1 April 2012. Business ratepayers who move into premises which were previously unoccupied for 12 months or more can claim a one year concession, during 2012/13, tha
08/05/2012
Democratic Unionist members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board have voiced their concerns about the PSNI Estates Strategy after the Northern Ireland Policing Board approved the disposal of some 21 police stations throughout Northern Ireland. DUP Policing Board member, Ian McCrea MLA said: "The
08/05/2012
ESB Networks is warning against the placing of posters on electricity poles/structures during the forthcoming Referendum campaign. In a statement ESB said: "Any unauthorised contact or near contact with the electricity networks can result in serious injury or fatality to persons using electricity
08/05/2012
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has attended the official opening of new accommodation for Gaelscoil Éanna, an Irish-medium primary school in Glengormley. The ceremony was also attended by legendary GAA commentator, Micheál O Muirecheartaigh, a former teacher with a keen interest in Irish-medium e
04/05/2012
NI Water has announced that work is progressing well on a scheme in the Obin Street area of Portadown which will improve the watermain and sewerage infrastructure in the area. The work is scheduled to be completed by July 2012. This work, which represents an investment of £1.3 million by NI Water w
04/05/2012
SDLP Group Leader on Newry and Mourne District Council Connaire McGreevy has spoken with shock at discovering that NMDC had to in excess of £40,000 in the last month disposing of abandoned toxic waste. Councillors were sent information by council officers on Wednesday which showed that there had be
04/05/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has opened a new £1.5million social housing scheme for older people at Weir Brae in Comber. The new 15 apartment development complements the already existing Weir Court and Weir Close schemes, all delivered by Alpha Housing, with funding from the Northe
04/05/2012
SDLP Deputy Leader Dolores Kelly has said that Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy needs to retain more contractors to clear up the mess left by incomplete housing developments where bonds have been forfeited. The Upper Bann MLA, who sits on Stormont’s Regional Development Committee, receiv
04/05/2012
Belfast City Council today confirmed the contract for the development of the Connswater Community Greenway has been terminated after a year-long dispute with contractors Connswater Joint Venture (CJV). However, the council insisted that it was still open to a resolution of the dispute in line with
04/05/2012
Sinn Féin Public Expenditure and Reform Spokesperson Mary McDonald TD this morning welcomed the introduction of the Construction Contracts Bill legislation to the Dáil noting it is time now to take this long awaited and desperately needed legislation home. Deputy McDonald said: "This legislation is
03/05/2012
East Belfast Councillor Laura McNamee has expressed her hope that the Connswater Greenway can now be progressed after the Council announced that they would advertise for a new contract after the previous contract was terminated. Cllr Laura McNamee said: "I hope that this decision by Belfast Council
03/05/2012
Construction Information Services (CIS), a Dublin-based company founded in 1972, announced today that it has acquired Unearthore, its main competitor. CIS supplies construction-related firms with planning and project data used to compile sales leads, build profitable marketing/sales plans, and win
03/05/2012
Mr Brian Hayes TD, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform today introduced the Construction Contracts Bill into the Dáil. Speaking on the debate Minister Hayes stated: "This Government is committed to protecting small building subcontractors that have been denied paym
03/05/2012
The sale of savings stamps which help people pay their fuel bills has reached £500,000 in the Belfast area. The Bewarm scheme was introduced originally in January, 2009 by Belfast City Council as a pilot project to help seniors save for oil bills but proved so successful it was extended to all resi
03/05/2012
Over 40 Irish Cement workers travelled to Dublin yesterday, 2nd May, to meet with Government and opposition elected representatives and to protest outside the head offices of the CRH Group. The workers, from the Irish Cement Ltd production plants in Castlemungret, Co. Limerick and Platin, Co. Meath
03/05/2012
SIPTU members at Vita Cortex have voted to accept proposals agreed between the company, its shareholders and worker representatives which provide for an equitable conclusion to the long running dispute. SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Gerry McCormack, said: "The workers are satisfied that
03/05/2012
Galway East Fianna Fáil TD Michael Kitt has demanded answers from the Minister for Transport about the future of key road projects in Galway East that had reached an advanced stage under the previous Government, but have been stalled for more than a year. Deputy Kitt raised a special Dáil debate on
03/05/2012
SDLP Balmoral Councillor Claire Hanna has said that the evidence given at Stormont’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding the sales of a former Army base on the Malone Road, which was subsequently developed as the up-market Malone Square apartment development, is deeply disturbing and says a lo
03/05/2012
Minister Michelle O'Neill has congratulated Rivers Agency on winning a major award for its Flood Map. Rivers Agency won the Institute of Water's NI Area Innovation Award for the Strategic Flood Map which provides information on past and future flood risk from rivers, the sea and is the first public
02/05/2012
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy today visited the site of the new £27.8 million Train Maintenance Facility at Adelaide in South Belfast. Minister Danny Kennedy said: "I can see that building and fitting out is well underway at the site where the structural framework is now complete. The completio
02/05/2012
Earlier this month, Maranco Construction, Dundrum, hosted an excellent and very informative study tour for South Eastern Regional College (SERC) Building Construction students. The students, from the College's Downpatrick campus, visited a unique home which is being constructed using green oak fra
02/05/2012
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has welcomed an initiative by the public and private house building sectors to explore ways in which they can work together to add value to social housing. The Minister was speaking at a 'Delivering Better Value in Social House Building' event in Belfast organised
02/05/2012
The Homelessness Strategy for Northern Ireland 2012 – 2017 aims to eliminate long term homelessness and rough sleeping across Northern Ireland by 2020. The new integrated approach includes a range of initiatives from support services to prevent homelessness to the introduction of a province-wide pr
02/05/2012
Two directors of a County Tyrone electrical subcontracting company have been disqualified. Colum McBride (30) and Adrian McBride (28) both of Magheralough Road, Trillick, Omagh, were disqualified for seven years and five years respectively at the High Court, Belfast, in respect of their conduct as
02/05/2012
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty has welcomed the 0.5% cut in variable rate mortgage interest rates as a "welcome step in the right direction" but called on the bank and government to do more "to bring PTSB into line with other state owned Irish banks". Deputy Doherty said: "For more t
02/05/2012
Electric Ireland have announced a new five year sponsorship partnership with the GAA which will see them support the GAA All-Ireland Minor Championships up to and including 2016. Speaking at the launch, Liam Molloy, General Manager, Electric Ireland said: "Electric Ireland is delighted to continue
02/05/2012
Alliance East Antrim MLA and Regional Development Spokesperson, Stewart Dickson, has welcomed a statement from the Minister of Regional Development that work on the upgrade of the A8 road between Belfast and Larne is expected to begin in June this year. Stewart Dickson MLA said: "I am delighted tha
01/05/2012
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy, today, announced his decision to proceed with the £100 million A8, Belfast to Larne, dual carriageway scheme. Having considered the Inspector's Report into the Public Inquiries on the A8 scheme, the Minister has tasked Roads Service to progress the proj
01/05/2012
DOE has hosted a UK wide conference to highlight the crucial importance that regenerating our Built Heritage has on contributing to social and economic development. Entitled 'Opening Doors to the Future', the conference was organised by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) in partnership
01/05/2012
Fianna Fáil Transport Spokesperson Timmy Dooley has said he is "deeply concerned" about reports that the Aer Lingus board is to consider a proposal to transfer its maintenance operations out of Shannon Airport to Dublin, which could impact on up to 70 jobs. Deputy Dooley said: "There will be huge c
01/05/2012
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn T.D., has officially opened the new Coláiste Chill Mhantáin, Co Wicklow. Coláiste Chill Mhantáin is a new 1,000-student school, delivered under the Department’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme, arising from the amalgamation of Abbey Voc
01/05/2012
Irish building contractor Manley Construction Ltd has marked its 25th anniversary by opening its first UK office in Manchester. The third generation family-owned business from County Meath in Ireland has invested in a new office near Manchester Airport. The company, which has a turnover of £7.5m a
01/05/2012
SDLP Shantallow Councillor Jimmy Carr has welcomed an announcement by the Housing Executive that 195 houses in Bradley Park and elsewhere in the Collon Terrace area will get new uPVC windows and double glazing. Cllr Carr said: "This is a welcome move by the Department of Social Development and will
