Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for January 2013
31/01/2013
Sinn Féin spokesperson on the environment, community & local government Brian Stanley TD is demanding that Minister Hogan extend the registration deadline for septic tanks. Mr Stanley said: "The deadline for registration of septic tanks is this Friday, 1st of February. Registration comes at a cost
31/01/2013
Calor, one of Ireland's leading supplier of LPG is extending its successful 'Now You Can' campaign, with mass media campaign during 2013. The 'Now You Can' campaign complements the company’s on-going business strategy to become the rural energy provider of choice for the 750,000 homes that do not
31/01/2013
The chief executive of the Lagan Group has received a bullet in the post. Addressed to Kevin Lagan a note accompanying the bullet made reference to Lagan Group's recent discussions about a possible joint venture with Quinn Building Products. Police are now investigating what Mr Lagan has said is a
31/01/2013
Ulster Unionist MLA, Michael Copeland has called on the DARD Minister to provide grants for flood protection systems to those homes in east Belfast that are worst affected by flooding. Mr Copeland said: "Heavy rainfall continues to have a devastating effect on many homes and businesses in East Belf
31/01/2013
Dublin's electric taxi has saved taxi driver, Padraig Daly, approximately €6,500 over the last 18 months. The 100% electric Nissan LEAF which has been part of a trial between ESB ecars and National Radio Cabs (NRC) has clocked up over 55,000km on Dublin roads. The trial, to evaluate electric vehic
30/01/2013
Sinn Féin's spokespersons on Energy in the Oireachtas, Michael Colreavy TD and in the Assembly Phil Flanagan MLA have stated that fracking must be banned across Ireland and that simply attempting to mitigate against its most negative impacts will not suffice. Speaking after they both attended an ev
30/01/2013
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr Phil Hogan, T.D., has welcomed the publication of two new Irish Standards by the NSAI, I.S. 398 Reactive Pyrite in sub-floor hardcore material – Part 1:Testing and categorisation protocol and Part 2: Methodology for remediation wor
30/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £245k resurfacing scheme on the A6 Belfast Road. The work is due to begin on 4 February 2013 between Ballycraigy Road and Islandreagh Drive. The Minister said: "The resurfacing works will increase the structural strength and impr
30/01/2013
The launch of the Centre for Global Development (CGD) 2012 Annual Report on Tuesday 29 January highlights the significant role the CGD plays on the world stage. The event also includes the launch of the CGD website, which features an on-going activity atlas that allows a virtual overview of the lea
30/01/2013
Dublin City Council have recently set up a Moore Street Advisory Committee to review, report on, and make recommendations to the City Council regarding the development of the Moore Street area. The Committee will focus on the preservation, use and development of the 1916 GPO Evacuation Route and th
30/01/2013
Over 80 CIOB members and guests celebrated the success of local students at the 2013 Annual Lecture and Awards ceremony last week hosted by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI. The presentation focused on 'Regional Sports Stadium Development Programme' by Noel Molloy, Stadium Programme Director and Mark Has
29/01/2013
SDLP Economy and Energy spokesperson Patsy McGlone has called on the Minister for Social Development to look at offering the Green Deal launched today in England and Wales, to homeowners in the north. Under the Green Deal, householders are to be offered long-term loans to spend on energy-saving imp
29/01/2013
The potential blockade of the Pepsi building project in Cork would not have arisen if the Government had passed the Construction Contracts Bill, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The Federation said the Government's delay in bringing the Bill through the Oireachtas is leadi
29/01/2013
The New Replacement Mental Health Facility for St. Brendan's Hospital at Grangegorman has been handed over to the HSE by the Grangegorman Development Agency. The new 54 bed purpose built mental health facility, named the 'Phoenix Care Centre' includes a Psychiatric Intensive Care Service. This stat
29/01/2013
Calor Teoranta, one of Ireland's leading suppliers of LPG, recently initiated proceedings in the Commercial Court division of the High Court against Tru Gas Limited regarding certain unauthorised activities, including conversion of and trespass to CALOR branded LPG cylinders. Calor took these proce
29/01/2013
Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has raised concerns about the £27 million underspend by the Housing Executive. Mr McCann said: "At a time when thousands of people are declaring themselves homeless, there are serious problems with housing maintenance and the construction industry on its knees, I am amazed
29/01/2013
The Northern Ireland construction industry has gone through one of its most difficult economic periods and after five years of steep decline, construction output in Northern Ireland (NI) is expected to stabilise in 2013 with small levels of growth anticipated from 2014 onwards. The Construction Sk
28/01/2013
Sinn Fein spokesperson on environment, community and local government, Brian Stanley TD has announced that Sinn Féin will introduce a climate change bill next week in the Dáil. Deputy Stanley said: "This government gave a commitment to introducing a climate change bill in their Programme for Govern
28/01/2013
Dublin City Council has launched its third annual Sustainability Report showing the steps the council are taking in the city to improve it's performance on issues of energy, transport, waste, water, air, biodiversity, society and economy. It outlines the approaches the city council takes to sustain
28/01/2013
MITIE, the FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing and energy services company, has appointed a new catering expert in Ireland to expand its specialist capability for its clients. Denise Arthur has joined MITIE's catering business to ensure its Irish clients enjoy the same level of expertise and local reso
28/01/2013
A spate of vandalism at a wastewater treatment works in the Co Down village of Annsborough could lead to a major environmental incident, NI Water has warned. Over the last 12 months there have been no less than 24 separate incidents at the works, which treats raw sewage from approximately 2,100 pro
28/01/2013
At a public meeting in Rathduff recently, Fine Gael Cork North Central Deputy, Dara Murphy, confirmed that a Letter of Intent will be signed next week for construction of a new Garda station in Blarney to serve the people of Blarney, Rathduff and Grenagh. Deputy Murphy established the fact having
28/01/2013
Commenting on the NI Executive meeting of 24 January 2013 and the forthcoming Sprucefield Planning Inquiry Minister Alex Attwood said that he is pleased to provide a note to the Executive on the retail strategy in BMAP which he decided to release to assist the planning appeals commission and all par
25/01/2013
Meath Labour T.D. Dominic Hannigan, has welcomed the announcement that Ireland has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the exporting of green energy from Ireland to Britain. Mr Hannigan said: "Ireland is able to produce more wind energy than it needs, and this MoU is the first step in th
25/01/2013
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson reiterated the Executive's commitment in doing everything it can to assist Northern Ireland's construction industry get back on its feet. The Minister was responding to the latest figures released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) published
25/01/2013
Mr Brendan Howlin, T.D., Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has welcomed the announcement by his colleague Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht that a major refurbishment of the National Gallery of Ireland is to go ahead with the creation of 300 construction jobs
25/01/2013
Providence Resources, the Irish oil and gas exploration and appraisal company, has provided an update on its 100% owned and operated licences P1885 and PL 5/10 in the Rathlin Basin, offshore Northern Ireland. In 2012, Providence acquired a Full Tensor Gradiometry (FTG) and magnetic airborne survey
25/01/2013
Calor, Ireland's leading supplier of LPG, is extending its successful 'Now You Can' campaign, with a mass media campaign during 2013. Calor is committing €1 million to support the year-long campaign. The 'Now You Can' campaign complements the company's on-going business strategy to become the rur
25/01/2013
The next phase of the Belfast on the Move works will begin on Monday, 28 January. Belfast on the Move aims to make the city centre more accessible to everyone by improving access to transportation for everyone in the city. Initial works will start on the following locations: •Great Victoria Stree
25/01/2013
Deputy Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin spokesperson on communications, energy and natural resources, has said that local concerns must be addressed before the construction of new wind turbines. Speaking following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by minister for communication, energy and nat
25/01/2013
Energy Minister Arlene Foster has announced new support levels for solar photovoltaic and biomass under the Northern Ireland Renewables Obligation (NIRO). The new levels, which will come into operation on 1 April 2013, are designed to incentivise larger solar photovoltaic stations and offer higher
25/01/2013
Construction students Steven Kelly and Carlo Tortolani, who study at the Lisburn Campus of SERC, have won the annual inter-campus Construction Spaghetti Bridge Challenge. BTEC National Diploma Construction students from across the College took part in the 'Build a Bridge' competition. Tasked wi
25/01/2013
NI Water has described the recent theft of manhole covers in North Belfast, Portadown and Moy in Co. Tyrone, as a direct attack on the local community and is urgently appealing to the public to help prevent further theft. To date, around twenty manhole covers have been stolen from various locations
24/01/2013
East Antrim MLA Alastair Ross has welcomed news that the construction of a new roll-on, roll-off linkspan at the Port of Cairnryan has started. Mr Ross said: "The improvements in Scotland hold much good news for Northern Ireland. Firstly, and most importantly, the upgrade shows P&O's commitment to
24/01/2013
The European Investment Bank loan will provide €200 million to support improvements in Ireland's Water Services Investment Programme (WSIP) by financing 23 projects in Dublin and 10 counties around the country to provide new water mains, water and wastewater treatment facilities and reservoirs, as w
24/01/2013
Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment, Community and Local Government, Brian Stanley TD, has called on the government to explain why they have abandoned their commitment to introduce a climate change bill in the agreed time-frame. Mr Stanley said: "Responding to questioning by me yesterday, An
24/01/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £150,000 for a Revitalisation scheme in Ballyclare. Minister McCausland said: "I am pleased to confirm a commitment I made earlier in the year towards funding a revitalisation schemes for Ballyclare. These schemes have worked ve
24/01/2013
Ms. Frances Fitzgerald T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has welcomed the issue of request for tenders for the construction of the new National Children Detention Facilities (NCDF) at Oberstown, Lusk, Co. Dublin. This process will select the main contractor to deliver the construction
24/01/2013
Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed news that the IDA has submitted a planning application with Waterford County Council for the development of new offices that will total 25,000 square feet. This new development will be situated in the IDA Business and Technology Park in Butle
24/01/2013
Environment Minister Alex Attwood today recognised the sterling efforts made to reduce waste when he presented awards to winning projects for waste reduction run during the 2012 European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR). The Minister presented Northern Ireland awards to seven organisations in recogn
24/01/2013
Element Power, the company behind the €8 billion Greenwire wind energy export project which intends to export 3,000 megawatts of clean green electricity to the UK from Ireland by 2018, is calling on the Irish and UK governments to accelerate the policy required to unlock the potential for the projec
24/01/2013
Alliance Education spokesperson Trevor Lunn MLA has welcomed the announcement by the Education Minister of £220 million of investment in 22 new school building projects. The Minster said it was unacceptable that children were receiving their entire primary education in temporary accommodation. Mr L
24/01/2013
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) today announced that Keith Morrison will succeed Jim Keyes as Chief Executive. Keith Morrison is currently the Director of Food, Farm and Rural Policy in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). Keith joined the Civil
23/01/2013
Over 150 people from the farming community attended renewable energy seminars in Tyrone to hear about the best solar technologies available to help farmers cut their electricity bills which will in turn help Northern Ireland meet its targets in reducing its carbon footprint. The event, hosted by le
23/01/2013
Recently South Eastern Regional College construction students were treated to a 'behind the scenes tour' of the restoration project currently underway at the famous historic building, Mount Stewart, which will breathe new life into the house, transforming the 'decayed elegance' back to the glamour o
23/01/2013
Fianna Fáil Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen has asked the Taoiseach to explain why no time has yet been allocated to debate the Water Services Bill 2013 in the Dáil and why it is going straight to the Seanad. Deputy Cowen raised the matter on the Order of Business in the Dáil before the Bill g
23/01/2013
The Utility Regulator has approved the extension of firmus energy (distribution) Ltd's natural gas network to the electoral wards of Camlough and Bessbrook. The firm reviewed firmus energy's development plan and supporting information, and is satisfied that the proposed connection is economic. Th
23/01/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £215,000 resurfacing scheme on the A57 Antrim Road. The work is due to begin on 28 January 2013 between Dungonnell Road and Airport Road. The Minister said: "The resurfacing works will increase the structural strength and improve the runnin
23/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £60,000 scheme to provide a missing link of footway on Jordanstown Road, Newtownabbey. The work will take place between Lynda Avenue and Jordanstown Railway Halt, and is due to begin on 4 February. The work will include footwa
23/01/2013
Deputy Emmet Stagg has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanala to grant planning permission to Intel for a major expansion of their facililty at Leixlip, Co. Kildare. Deputy Stagg stated the new plant would be used to build a new generation of faster and more powerful microchips with total floor
23/01/2013
Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O'Donovan, has said that the mortgage interest relief scheme, introduced by the Government last year, provided a welcome boost for home buyers. Figures obtained by Deputy O’Donovan in a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, show that
23/01/2013
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has called on the government to support his party's amendment to exclude local authority housing from property liable to pay the Home Tax. He made his comments following reports that tenants could see a rise in council rents as a result. Deputy Ellis
23/01/2013
Twenty two school building projects will proceed as part of a potential £220million investment according to Education Minister John O'Dowd. Revealing details of the new builds to the Assembly, the Minister also announced that the School Enhancement Programme, aimed at refurbishing or extending exis
22/01/2013
Polypipe has helped deliver a unique drainage solution for Northern Ireland Water's Carrowreagh Storm Sewer Improvement Scheme in Dundonald, near Belfast. An attenuation tank, created from Polypipe's Polystorm-R and Ridgistorm-XL products, forms an important feature of the £600,000 essential storm
22/01/2013
Ennis Town Council has signed a contract with Ward & Burke Construction Ltd for Flood Relief Works to be carried out in the Watery Road / Elm Park area of the town. The need for flood alleviation works to be carried out at Watery Road, Elm Park and Oakwood Drive was identified in the Ennis Main Dra
22/01/2013
A positive outlook for power generation is forecast over the next decade on the island of Ireland in a new report published by the operators of the electricity grid in Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, network limitations are restricting the amount of generation on the island that can be effec
22/01/2013
Fianna Fáil is stepping up its information campaign on septic tank registration this week with a series of information meetings across Co Donegal. According to Donegal Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill, there is still a lot of confusion about the impact of the Government’s new septic tank legislation. "Th
22/01/2013
Strangford DUP MLA Simon Hamilton has told the Assembly that much more needs to be done to make the most economically from Northern Ireland's historic environment. Mr Hamilton told colleagues at Stormont that the 10,000 jobs sustained by the historic environment can be increased alongside the contr
22/01/2013
NI Water has pleaded guilty to a breach of consent in relation to the telemetry alarm system at Millvale Sewage Pumping Station (SPS), Newry, on 19 February 2010. The firm was fined £750 plus £28 court costs. The incident was linked to a deliberate act of vandalism of an attenuation tank. Two tyr
21/01/2013
Wind power could bring our rural communities real wealth, exclusion zones will kill it, claim the Greens. Greater community involvement in the planning process should be the answer to planning concerns about wind turbines. Green Party Spokesperson for Energy and Natural Resources, Ossian Smyth sai
21/01/2013
The Irish construction sector remained firmly in contraction in December, although there were signs that the decline eased as activity, new orders and employment all fell at weaker rates. That said, purchasing activity and the use of sub-contractors both decreased sharply. Improved sentiment was r
21/01/2013
Tom Enright, Director of Economic Development with the Limerick Local Authorities has welcomed the announcement by Vistakon Ireland of 100 production jobs and 200 temporary construction jobs as a vote of confidence in Limerick as an excellent place to do business. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise
21/01/2013
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has called on the Fitch's rating agency to look at how they compile their residential property briefings for Ireland in future. The Federation said that compiling a macro view of the Irish property market no longer holds water with Ireland now a series o
21/01/2013
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), in partnership with electricity supplier Power NI, has taken one of the top awards at the Annual Utility Industry Achievement Awards. The Award for IT Initiative of the Year was presented at a gala dinner in London, attended by representatives from all the fina
21/01/2013
Ulster Unionist Leader, Mike Nesbitt MLA, has expressed his utter shock that the proposed Peace Building Centre at the Maze is forecast to run at a loss of over £500,000 per year. Mr Nesbitt said: "Leaving aside the wisdom of basing this peace and conflict transformation centre at the Maze site, it
21/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced £400,000 of major resurfacing on Mullabrack and Newtownhamilton Roads in Armagh. Mr Kennedy said: "The works will improve the structural condition of these stretches of carriageway and also enhance their running surfaces. Where necessary the
21/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £107,000 resurfacing scheme on the B53 Craigstown Road this week. The work is due to begin on today between Drumsough Road and Ballylurgan Road. The planned dates are subject to favourable weather conditions and Roads Service will
21/01/2013
NI Water is inviting business suppliers to a 'Supplier Day' on Thursday 14 March 2013. The event is aimed at current and potential suppliers that do not currently provide goods or services to NI Water. NI Water is a major presence in the local commercial world, and awarded 119 new contracts to com
21/01/2013
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, TD, and Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, launched new Development Contribution Guidelines. Minister Hogan said: "These new guidelines are pro-planning and pro-jobs. I am confident that they will enable l
18/01/2013
Graham Civils division has recently been successful in securing a number of projects totalling nearly £6 million for Northern Ireland Water. These are the latest in a series of projects awarded under its Integrated Wastewater Framework appointment. The framework involves design and construction of
18/01/2013
A new €60m private hospital proposed for Ennis has been given the go-ahead. On Thursday Ennis Town Council granted permission for the 97-bed hospital within the 19th-century protected structure that housed the former Our Lady’s Psychiatric Hospital on the northern outskirts of Ennis, Co Clare. The
18/01/2013
The hunt for Northern Ireland's most remarkable developments in land, property and construction is coming to a head. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Northern Ireland Awards will present accolades for Community Benefit, Building Conservation, Regeneration and Design & Innovation.
18/01/2013
The Mayor of Derry City has welcomed news that work on the new Bay Road to Boomhall Greenway is set to begin as part of the City's Active Travel Programme funded by the Department for Regional Development. Mayor Cllr Kevin Campbell said the investment is welcomed to extend the existing city wide gr
18/01/2013
200 Coleraine homes in the Somerset, Greenhall Highway, Wheatsheaf Road and surrounding areas have just had new smart meters installed as part of the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) 'Shift & Save' trial, the first trial of its kind in Northern Ireland that combines smart meters and network techno
18/01/2013
Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan wants to speed up the introduction of new regulations for Waste Management to clean up the sector as soon as possible. Minister Hogan said: "The behaviour of private bin companies in Dublin City since the privatisation of the waste service has left much to be
18/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced a £340,000 bridge widening scheme in Beragh, County Tyrone. Preparatory work has already started at Beragh Water Bridge, which carries the B46 Cooley Road over the Cloughfin River, on 14 January. However the work will have no impact on the t
18/01/2013
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government has announced that he has given sanction for Inishowen Development Partnership to approve funding of €384,906.25, to Drumfries Community Centre Association for the building of a Community and Heritage centre at Drumfries, Co
18/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £205,000 major resurfacing scheme on a section of the Douglas Road, the main Douglas Bridge to Newtownstewart road this week. Resurfacing work is due to commence on 23 January 2013 from the Douglas Road/Ballymullarty Road junction
18/01/2013
Ulster Unionist Social Development spokesperson, Michael Copeland MLA has expressed his concern at the sharp increase in people presenting themselves as homeless to the Housing Executive. Mr Copeland said: "There has been a sharp increase in the amount of households presenting themselves as homeles
17/01/2013
The Energy Minister has officially opened Calor Gas' newly refurbished office in Belfast. Calor Gas employs 98 staff in its Belfast office where a recent £550,000 investment by the company has led to the creation of six additional jobs in its Customer Contact Department. Arlene Foster said: "Calor
17/01/2013
DSV has announced that it has renewed its €400,000 energy supply deal with Energia. The global logistics firm which employs over 400 in Ireland and operates under the brands of DSV Road, DSV Air & Sea and DSV Solutions, has recently renewed its 12 month energy supply contract with Energia. Under th
17/01/2013
The Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, Phil Hogan T.D., has encouraged owners of septic tanks and other waste water treatment systems who have not already registered their systems to do so by 1 February. He said that over 60% (300,000) of householders have already register
17/01/2013
Fine Gael TD for Roscommon/South Leitrim, Frank Feighan, has said that the planning notice for the €3m Endoscopy Project, which appears in this week's edition of the Roscommon Herald, is clear evidence of the positive future for Roscommon Hospital, its staff and local communities. Mr Feighan said:
17/01/2013
The first patients have started moving into a new state of the art €35 million Critical Care Unit at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle, Limerick. The development of the unit is a major step forward in the development of acute hospital services across the Mid West and follows on radic
17/01/2013
Labour T.D. for Dublin Mid-West, Robert Dowds, has said that Finance Minister Michael Noonan should change the local property tax law by giving local councils the power to vary the rate in their area by up to 25% from the national rate. Mr Dowds said: "While I support a property tax in principle, t
17/01/2013
Funding is available for Environmental Projects under the EU LIFE+ Programme 2007-2013. Over the period 2007-2013, Life+ will provide €1.7 billion for co-funded projects across the EU which are linked to nature conservation, environmental technology and the communication of environmental matters.
17/01/2013
Extended Diploma in Construction students from South Eastern Regional College’s Bangor Campus recently visited the Oaklee Housing development on Central Avenue, Bangor. The visit provided the students with an opportunity to see close up the daily operations of a live construction site. On the si
17/01/2013
Galway City Councillor Ollie Crowe has demanded action on upward only rent contracts which he says are stifling business in the city centre. The Fianna Fáil Councillor says the news that the popular Cava Restaurant on Dominic Street is set to close in a dispute over its lease is further evidence of
17/01/2013
Following a proposal made by Cllr Gillian Coughlan, Mayor of Bandon, at a meeting convened by the Mayor and Town Council of Midleton on Monday night, the Mayors of all the Town Councils in County Cork are to seek a meeting with the Minister and the Oireachtas Committee on the Environment. Cllr Coug
17/01/2013
Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has congratulated Fermanagh Self-Catering Cottages in achieving four-star status under a Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) accommodation grading scheme. Owned and run by Mark and Caroline Johnston, the holiday units are located in Aghadrumsee. They comprise of fo
17/01/2013
Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy has announced that the next phase of the Belfast on the Move works will begin on 28 January. The Minister said: "The aim of Belfast on the Move is to make the city centre more accessible to everyone. To achieve this we are encouraging the use of public transport fo
16/01/2013
SDLP Economic spokesperson and chair of the All Party Group on Construction Patsy McGlonemet met with representatives from the construction industry at Stormont yesterday, Tuesday 15th January.. Mr McGlone who is also Chair of the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee said: "I was delighted to
16/01/2013
Sinn Féin TD and Housing Spokesperson Dessie Ellis has called on the government to introduce legislation which would make the installation of carbon monoxide detectors mandatory. Deputy Ellis said: "The installation of these detectors is a vital step in ensuring against carbon monoxide poisoning. M
16/01/2013
Fianna Fáil Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen has questioned the sudden eruption of concern about the property tax on the Fine Gael backbenches, when the same Deputies were quick to stifle debate on the Bill when it was forced through the Dáil. Deputy Cowen commented: "While the new found concer
16/01/2013
NI Water has announced that a contract for the construction of a new major Wastewater Pumping Station at Newry Road, Warrenpoint, is programmed to commence in the DRD Roads Service car park, with associated sewerage infrastructure improvement works to take place along the Newry Road, Meeting Street
16/01/2013
The UK technical team of international renewable energy consultancy Natural Power have delivered a comprehensive energy yield study on a proposed wind turbine project in Northern Ireland for Graham Bell. Natural Power has worked on multiple projects in Northern Ireland, and this project represents
16/01/2013
Ulster Unionist Economy Spokesperson, Sandra Overend, has welcomed the investment by the NI Executive into the extension of the gas network to the West. The Mid Ulster MLA said: "This news represents a significant investment of £32.5 million into improving and updating our gas network in order to m
16/01/2013
Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has announced planning permission for two new motorway service stations on the M2, with two to follow on the M1. These are the first of their kind in Northern Ireland. Currently there are no service stations directly on the motorways in Northern Ireland so commu
16/01/2013
Dublin Bay North Labour TD Seán Kenny, has called on Dublin City Council to review the maintenance of the central heating systems in their Seniors City flat complexes. This follows on from the discovery of two people in a flat at Drumalee Court, Stoneybatter, in the north city. It is thought that
16/01/2013
Continuing their investment in the latest production technologies, Instarmac, home to the Ultracrete, Ultrascape, Ultra Tile and Ultra Floor brands, have recently installed new machinery that promises a massive increase in their production output. Over the Christmas holidays, Instarmac's producti
16/01/2013
Noyeks Newmans are delighted to unveil their new displays of Doras doors at the Ballymount and Finglas branches. A wide range of Doras door models can now be viewed in our recently refurbished showrooms. With over 40 different designs on show we aim to provide a comprehensive and professional door
15/01/2013
Fianna Fáil is holding a series of information meetings across Donegal to provide up-to-date information on the new septic tank legislation, the registration process and the grant aid available. The local Fianna Fáil organisation says the aim is to assist householders who have been left in the dark
15/01/2013
Customers of energy provider Energia are moving in significant numbers to online billing. Following a recent competition to promote paperless billing, Andrea Casey of TTM Healthcare in Galway was presented the winning prize of an Apple iPad by Michael Nugent from Energia. Andrea Casey, TTM Healthc
15/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced a £150,000 major resurfacing scheme for the Tandragee Road, Portadown. The work is due to begin on Monday 21 January between Brackagh Moss Road and Mahon Road. To help minimise disruption to road users and to meet strict Health & Safety Reg
15/01/2013
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government has announced that he has given sanction for Clare Local Development Company to approve funding of €300,000, to Inagh Development Limited, for the development of Inagh Community Centre at Inagh, Co Clare, under the Conservati
15/01/2013
Sanction has been given for Clare Local Development Company to approve funding of €386,193, to Kilkishen Development Limited for the development of a Community and Cultural Centre at Kilkishen, Co Clare, under the Conservation and upgrading of the Rural Heritage and the Basic Services for the Econom
15/01/2013
Global renewable energy company Mainstream Renewable Power has finalised negotiations with UK's National Grid for 5,000MW of 'firm' access to be delivered to the UK National Grid from 2017 to 2020. The company's Board approved the second payment at a meeting of its Risk and Investment Committee.
15/01/2013
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has announced that he has given sanction for Meath Partnership to approve funding of €278,358.75 to Meath River Rescue for the construction of a boathouse and training facility in Balreask Old, Navan, Co. Meath under the
15/01/2013
Figures published today in the latest Quarterly Development Management Bulletin reveal that DOE Planning has seen improvements in performance, for the second successive quarter, compared with the same period last year. In the second quarter of 2012/13, planning processed major applications in an av
15/01/2013
Electric Ireland and Payzone have announced that they have teamed up with a unique promotion to raise funds for three Irish children's charities. Each time an Electric Ireland customer pays their bill through their local Payzone agent, Electric Ireland will donate €1 to a fund that will be shared
15/01/2013
The Ulster Unionist Party's Mid Ulster MLA Sandra Overend, has welcomed the news that the Training College for the Police, Prison and Fire Services has been granted full planning permission for its proposed site at Desertcreat, outside Cookstown. Ms Overend said: "The news that the Training College
14/01/2013
Energy Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed the Northern Ireland Executive's support for extension of the natural gas network in Northern Ireland. The Executive has committed to part-fund new gas transmission pipelines to main towns in the west of Northern Ireland, with a subvention of £32.5million
14/01/2013
Kedco, the renewable energy group focusing on the production of clean energy in the UK and Ireland, has provided an update on its project portfolio and announced the signing of heads of terms with Londonderry Port & Harbour Commissioners regarding a new biomass project, with a capacity of up to 25MW
14/01/2013
Phil Hogan has nothing to be proud of in the Household Charge according to the Green Party. Commenting following figures released showing a 70% compliance with registration and payment of the Household Charge, the Green Party said that Environment Minister Phil Hogan's self flattery will not deceiv
14/01/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy is seeking people's views on the future role for our railways as part of an integrated and sustainable transport system in Northern Ireland. The Minister announced his Department has started a public consultation exercise to seek views on how they should take forwar
14/01/2013
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), in partnership with the training industry, is organising free training to help local tradespeople protect themselves from deadly asbestos. The new scheme, 'Asbestos Training Pledge NI', will run for 12 weeks from 7 January to 29 March 2
14/01/2013
NI Water is embarking on a two million pound project to upgrade a number of wastewater pumping stations and deliver environmental improvements across Northern Ireland. This latest NI Water investment will see the installation of modern pumping and electrical equipment to increase the efficiency of
14/01/2013
Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillors are to table an emergency motion at today's monthly meeting of the City Council in opposition to the Water Services Bill which will see water meters and charges imposed on every home. Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha said: "The publication on 11 January of the Water
14/01/2013
SDLP Social Development Spokesperson Mark H Durkan has said that the destruction of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is a disastrous move which will affect thousands of people and put a question mark over the principles which underpinned NIHE. The Foyle MLA was speaking before the Asse
11/01/2013
Minister for Natural Resources, Fergus O'Dowd today welcomed the launch of a public consultation by the EPA on the proposed Terms of Reference for further more detailed research to be carried out on the potential environmental impacts of unconventional gas exploration and extraction. Minister O'Dowd
11/01/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland welcomed the clarification provided by today's Land's Tribunal judgement in the case of Kerr v the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on the level of compensation payable when a property is vested for regeneration. Minister McCausland said: "While I emp
11/01/2013
Alliance Lagan Valley MLA Trevor Lunn has criticised the decision by the Environment Minister that will effectively block the John Lewis planning application at Sprucefield. The Minister has limited expansion at Sprucefield to just bulky goods like furniture shops. Trevor Lunn MLA said: "The Minis
11/01/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Seán Fleming has said the exclusion of the Irish Water from the government's new Freedom of Information legislation is a "glaring omission that must be addressed". Speaking following a committee hearing on the General Scheme of the Freedom o
11/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £170,000 major resurfacing scheme on a section of Scraghy Road, the main Castlederg to Enniskillen road. Asphalt resurfacing work will begin on Monday 14 January 2013 from the Scraghy Road/Hegarty Road junction for a distance of 1
11/01/2013
A Co Tyrone farmer has pleaded guilty and was fined £1000 plus court costs of £28 at Strabane Magistrates Court. Mr Sidney Porter, of Kilclean Road, Castlederg, Co Tyrone, was fined for making a polluting discharge to a waterway. On 9 February 2012, a Water Quality Inspector, acting on behalf of
11/01/2013
Environment Minister Alex Attwood announced today his decisions on retailing matters with regard to the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP). The BMAP Retail Strategy means that any retail planning applications must be judged against: promotion of Belfast City Centre as the leading shopping centr
10/01/2013
A 1970's industrial office building in Northern Ireland has been dramatically transformed into a stylish and efficient 21st century office environment by the skilful application of weber.therm XM External Wall Insulation (EWI), the innovative and versatile system manufactured by Saint-Gobain Weber,
10/01/2013
CITB-ConstructionSkills NI is now recruiting participants for an innovative project, to train 30 local construction workers in sustainable construction in Biberach, Germany. The ‘Building Skills for Sustainable Construction' project will help participants widen their knowledge of sustainable const
10/01/2013
Ulster Unionist Social Development spokesperson, Michael Copeland MLA has expressed his concerns over the future of social housing in Northern Ireland. Mr Copeland said: "The Northern Ireland Housing Executive was established during a very difficult time in our history. The work they carried out t
10/01/2013
Speaking at Trinity College, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, outlined his focus for Ireland's Presidency of the EU. "In simple terms, under Ireland’s Presidency Irish citizens must benefit from the digital economy and the EU Internal Energy Market," he said
10/01/2013
SDLP Enterprise Trade and Investment spokesperson Patsy McGlone has warmly welcomed news from Environment Minister Alex Attwood that he has given the green light to the construction of a new combined Police, Fire and Prison Officer training college at Desertcreat, near Cookstown. The Mid Ulster MLA
10/01/2013
Alliance Social Development spokesperson Judith Cochrane MLA has criticised the Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland for announcing his decision to abolish the Housing Executive in a press release rather than a statement on the floor of the Assembly. Judith Cochrane MLA said: "Such a major
10/01/2013
Standard Low Impedance Speakers Example Set-Ups Standard loudspeakers comprise of 3 main components: a cone, a magnet and a coil. Passing a current through the coil causes the attached cone to move forward or backward. The coil is fed the electrical signal from an amplifier, which provides enough e
09/01/2013
Fianna Fáil TD for Laois/Offaly, Barry Cowen, has called on his fellow Oireachtas members in the constituency to put pressure on the Government to enact recommendations on flood prevention in the River Shannon Basin. Last summer the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltac
09/01/2013
Seán Kenny, the Dublin Bay North Labour Party TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, has welcomed the securing of criminal convictions against two landlords who failed to register their tenancies, despite a number of statutory notices and warning letters instructing them to do so. T
09/01/2013
Planning permission has been granted for the first police, prison and training college in Northern Ireland. It is to be constructed on a 23,000 sq metre site at Desertcreat Road, near Cookstown. A single wind turbine is also to be built according to the proposal. Work is expected to begin later t
09/01/2013
SDLP Social Development spokesperson Mark H Durkan has said Minister Nelson McCausland's decision to announce the evisceration of the Housing Executive by written statement, avoiding MLAs’ questions, was "an act of rank cowardice." The Foyle MLA was speaking after the announcement that the NIHE was
09/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a road improvement scheme to install traffic signals at the junction of the Doagh Road and Old Carrick Road in Newtownabbey. Work will start at the junction of the Doagh Road and Old Carrick Road and extends to the junction with
09/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £110,000 major resurfacing scheme on West Street, Stewartstown, Co Tyrone, this week. Preparatory work which commenced prior to the Christmas holidays has now been completed and the main resurfacing work is due to begin on 12 Janu
09/01/2013
TIMco (T.I.Midwood.) one of the UK and Ireland's major suppliers of screws, fasteners, fixings and power tool accessories have announced the opening of its logistics centre in Ireland. The company's expansion has been brought about by a dramatic increase in sales within Ireland. The company felt t
08/01/2013
Belfast International Airport has awarded the contract for the resurfacing of its main runway to local construction firm, Whitemountain Quarries. The project will be carried out between March and May of this year but, as the work will take place overnight, there will be no impact on normal airport
08/01/2013
SIPTU has condemned as unacceptable the placing on protective notice of the entire workforce at Tara Mines in Navan, Co. Meath. The 670 workers were placed on protective notice on Thursday, 3rd January, by the management of Boliden, the Swedish multinational company that owns Tara Mines. SIPTU Org
08/01/2013
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson today outlined how the introduction of a new payment method will help safeguard subcontractor payments in many government construction contracts. From January 2013, Project Bank Accounts will be introduced in government construction contracts awarded by Central Procure
08/01/2013
NI Water has announced it is embarking on a two million pound project to upgrade a number of wastewater pumping stations and deliver environmental improvements across Northern Ireland. This latest NI Water investment will see the installation of modern pumping and electrical equipment to increase
08/01/2013
Fianna Fáil Seanad Leader & Finance Spokesperson Darragh O'Brien has said the drip-feed of information on the valuation and collection of property taxes is adding to the distress of hard-pressed homeowners across the country. Senator O'Brien commented: "Has the Government learned nothing from its f
08/01/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a road improvement scheme to install traffic signals at the junction of the Doagh Road and Old Carrick Road in Newtownabbey. Work will start at the junction of the Doagh Road and Old Carrick Road and extends to the junction wit
08/01/2013
Sewage discharge compliance is continuing to improve in Northern Ireland. Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has released The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) 2010-2011 assessment of compliance of water utility discharges made by Northern Ireland Water (NIW), and those companies who carr
08/01/2013
Councillors from Lisburn, Ballymena, Omagh, Strabane and Craigavon visited Northern Ireland Electricity's (NIE) Control Centre recently to understand how the company deals with power cuts and plans for emergencies. During the visit Councillors saw NIE's call centre and the IT systems which control
07/01/2013
Students from Rathmore Grammar School, Belfast, have been developing a mobile phone application to test the safety of electricity poles. It is part of the Sentinus Team Research and Development programme, four students recently visited the Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) Ballymena office to lea
07/01/2013
Sinn Féin Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has expressed huge disappointment and worry at the news that the Swedish company Boliden, owners of Tara Mines has put 670 workers on protective notice. Deputy Tóibín said Tara Mines is pivotally important to Meath and each of the individual families working at
07/01/2013
Roads Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the suspension of car parking charges at St Brides Car Park in Carrickfergus ahead of work beginning on the A2 Shore Road Greenisland improvement scheme. The suspension period, beginning today, is expected to continue until summer 2015 when work on the £50
07/01/2013
Ulster Unionist Welfare spokesperson Michael Copeland MLA has said the revelation that there has been no major increase in the number of planning applications for one and two bedroom social housing units exposes the myth that the Social Development Minister has taken action to offset the potentially
07/01/2013
A L'Derry man was fined a total of £250, plus £75 court costs and £20 summons costs, at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court. Mr Brian Hughes of Garden Street, Magherafelt was charged with four counts of displaying unauthorised signage on land south west of 87 Moyarget Road, Ballycastle. DOE Planning brou
07/01/2013
Fine Gael Dublin North TD, Alan Farrell, has voiced concerns that property owners could be exploited by estate agents or pressurised by fellow home owners as they attempt to value their homes for the new local property tax. Mr Farrell said: "I am concerned that if there is not a straightforward and
04/01/2013
Dublin Bay North Labour T.D., Seán Kenny, today called on the Environmental Protection Agency to refuse a pre-Christmas permit application by Dublin City Council for the dumping of 824,000 tonnes of spoil in Dublin Bay, approximately 3km from the Baily at Howth, under the Dumping at Sea Acts 1996 to
04/01/2013
In the year to November, residential property prices at a national level, fell by 5.7%. This compares with an annual rate of decline of 8.1% in October and a decline of 15.6% recorded in the twelve months to November 2011. Residential property prices grew by 1.1% in the month of November. This c
04/01/2013
South Dublin County Council has completed its Review and Determinations for all Quarries in the County. A total of six determination reports on quarries have been undertaken by South Dublin County Council. These reports arise from a number of special legislative provisions in relation to quarries
04/01/2013
The lucky escape for two adults and three children from their home in mid-Co Louth during the Christmas holidays after a carbon monoxide detector alerted them to high levels of the gas in their home, allowing the family to vacate the property and receive precautionary hospital treatment. A carbon m
04/01/2013
A Coleraine man was fined £200 plus £105 legal and court costs for a planning offence at Coleraine Magistrates' Court today. Mr Hugh Patrick Henry of Craigmore Road, Ringsend, Coleraine pleaded guilty for failing to comply with a Breach of Condition Enforcement Notice which required visibility spla
04/01/2013
Environment Minister Alex Attwood today granted planning permission for new International standard showgrounds and associated show rings at the Maze. The application by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) will enable the Balmoral Show to take place in its new location in May 2013. The pro
03/01/2013
Castlewellan company Green Energy 4U has installed a record amount of wind turbine capacity in 2012, and they are not finished yet. Established in 2002, the company diversified from farming and farm contracting. Now with ten years in the renewables industry, Green Energy 4U are one of the most expe
03/01/2013
Element Power has announced that it has signed an option agreement to lease lands from Coillte, Ireland's leading natural resources company, which will enable it to consider wind farm development on some Coillte-owned sites in the Irish midlands, as part of a major wind energy export project. The d
03/01/2013
As part of the ongoing regeneration of the Village area in South Belfast, 94 Housing Executive tenants are getting new windows in a scheme costing almost £185,000. This brings the Housing Executive's (HE) investment in the area over the last few months to more than £750,000. The homes, which wer
03/01/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £150,000 to assist in the regeneration of Larne town centre. This follows the successful implementation of earlier schemes funded by DSD and promoted by Larne Traders' Forum which targeted improvements to the front of properties
03/01/2013
Sinn Féin MLA for South Antrim Mitchel McLaughlin has welcomed the decision by the Environment Minister to refuse permission to build an incinerator by Rose Energy outside of Glenavy. Mr McLaughlin said: "The decision to refuse permission to build a chicken waste incinerator on the shores of Lough
03/01/2013
Cork County Council is commencing public consultation in relation to preparing a new County Development Plan for Cork. The Cork County Development Plan sets out the overall strategy for the proper planning and sustainable development of the County and consists of a written statement and accompanyi
03/01/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced completion of works on the UK City of Culture Events Pavilion. Now known as 'the Venue'’ at Ebrington, it has been constructed to facilitate events planned as part of the UK City of Culture 2013 programme. The contractors appointed to bui
02/01/2013
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has extended the period in which archaeologists can continue excavations at the Crannog in Co Fermanagh. Discoveries made during the first ever substantial excavation of a crannog in Northern Ireland - an artificial island in a lake – in Co Fermanagh continue to sh
02/01/2013
Mr. Phil Hogan TD Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has thanked all those who have registered their properties and paid the household charge. To date 1.126m properties have been registered and this includes 22,334 waivers. €113.35m has been collected and reallocated to l
02/01/2013
Deputy Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Communications Energy and Natural Resources, has called on the government to listen to warnings about hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, before making a decision whether to grant an exploration licence for the process in Ireland. Echoing the call
02/01/2013
SDLP Antrim Councillor Thomas Burns has welcomed Environment Minister Alex Attwood’s decision to refuse planning permission to the Rose Energy incinerator in Glenavy. Mr Burns said the decision was the right one and said it never should have been proposed for an area of high scenic value. He said:
02/01/2013
The Board of Bord Gáis Eireann (BGE) have announced the appointment of Mr John Barry as Acting Chief Executive Officer for an interim period pending the appointment of a new CEO. The process to recruit a permanent Chief Executive Officer is underway and an appointment is expected to be announced i
02/01/2013
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., has published the National Climate Change Adaptation Framework, and released a report on progress overall in the development of national climate policy and legislation. The National Climate Change Adaptation Fram
02/01/2013
Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the decision by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, to grant a property tax waiver to householders living in homes affected by pyrite. Deputy Butler also welcomed the progress on establishing a Pyrite Resolution Board, as
02/01/2013
The Department for Regional Development (DRD) Roads Service intend carrying out railing refurbishment and replacement on Duke Street, Londonderry during January and February. The funding for this project has been provided by the Department for Social Development (DSD). The investment is part of a w
