Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for September 2013
30/09/2013
Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources has announced that the Government will spend €13m by the end of this year on more than 80 community energy projects around the country, under Better Energy schemes administered by SEAI. The projects include energy effici
30/09/2013
Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, has unveiled the roadmap for one of the State's largest capital programmes, with the publishing of the Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan. The 500-page document, which was launched at Thomond Park, is the first time the Li
30/09/2013
Clare County Council has confirmed that the presentation of awards in the 2013 'Clare in Bloom', 'Best Kept Local Authority Estate' and 'Pride of Place' competitions will be held at Áras Contae an Chláir in Ennis on 14 October 2013. The annual Community Awards Night will be hosted by the Mayor of C
30/09/2013
Dublin City Councillor, Paul McAuliffe has called for city officials and Government Ministers to introduce a new 'Hoarding Tax' in the forthcoming budget. The tax would see banks and developers who have left unsightly wooden hoardings around their sites paying a fee for every square foot which the
30/09/2013
Limerick City and County Councils have announced they will shortly begin writing to owners of residential properties or residential units who have not registered with the local authority to pay the Non-Principal Private Residence (NPPR) charges. The Councils are currently cross checking public reco
30/09/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £300,000 resurfacing scheme on Comber Road, Lisburn. The work is due to begin on 1 Oct 2013 between Ravarnet Road and Upper Ballynahinch Road. The Minister said: "This scheme will increase the life of the road, greatly improving the strengt
30/09/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the installation of replacement street lighting at Kennedy Way Upper, Belfast. The scheme between Glen Road and Andersonstown Road Roundabouts is due to commence 14 October 2013 and will be fully operational within seven weeks. The Minister sai
30/09/2013
SDLP MLA for West Belfast Alex Attwod has responded to remarks made by leading architect Daniel Libeskind who has said he believes the peace building and reconciliation centre on the site of the maze will go ahead. Mr Attwood said: "I met and worked with Daniel Libeskind when I was DSD Minister. He
30/09/2013
Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Environment, Community & Local Government, Brian Stanley TD, has urged the government, "to respond urgently and responsibly to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report". The Laois/Offaly deputy said: "The fifth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
30/09/2013
Fergus O'Dowd, the Minister of State with responsibility for Natural Resources, has published a report by Indecon International Consultants assessing the value of Ireland's mining and mineral exploration sector. In 2012, Ireland was Europe's largest producer of zinc metal in concentrate (32% of all
27/09/2013
The Oireachtas and the Good Friday Agreement Implementation Committee was addressed by representatives of the Special European Programmes Body (SEUPB), which is responsible for the co-ordination of over €300m of funding. The SEUPB is one of the key agencies funding the proposed cross border bridge
27/09/2013
The construction industry will move to sustained growth, creating thousands of jobs in the coming years if it is given a push in the right direction in this year's Budget, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The CIF believes that the industry is on the verge of recovery and t
27/09/2013
Sinn Féin's Ballyfermot/Drimnagh Representative, Daithí Doolan, has revealed that, 'the Unilever site on Davitt Road has been bought by the Health Services Executive for development.' Mr Doolan said: "I can confirm that the Davitt Road site has been bought by the HSE. It will be part of the develop
27/09/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Agriculture, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, says the state forestry company, Coillte, needs to be reformed and developed so it is able to meet its full potential which would lead to enhanced afforestation in this country. Deputy Ó Cuív added that there needs to be a major planting dri
27/09/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a major £250,000 road improvement scheme is set to begin on the B8 near Mayobridge. Plans are being finalised that will see around 1.5km of carriageway resurfacing of B8 Hilltown road Mayobridge, from south of the Edentrumley to just no
27/09/2013
Justice Minister David Ford has announced community safety works for the Northumberland Street area of Belfast. The work will involve the installation of two CCTV cameras and the replacement of the street lights on Northumberland Street with white light lamps. Mr Ford said: "These measures are aim
27/09/2013
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has welcomed the opening of new cycle and walking schemes in Londonderry by the Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy MLA. West Tyrone MLA Ross Hussey said: "The announcement of a total of over £600,000 of investment in cycle and walking schemes for Londonderry will be w
27/09/2013
Roads Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of two resurfacing schemes in Randalstown and Antrim. Work will begin on Tuesday 1 October and continue until Tuesday 15 October between Church Road and Clonkeen Road in Randalstown. A second scheme in Antrim will also begin on Tuesday 1 October
26/09/2013
Irish dignitaries, including Taoisech Mr Enda Kenny, T.D., recently joined Gerry Behan, chief executive officer and president of then Kerry Ingredients & Flavours Division of Kerry Group and senior executives of Gilbane Building Company to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Kerry Group's new Global
26/09/2013
Northern Ireland's leading demolition contractor has praised the performance of a fleet of JCB demolition excavators at one of Belfast's highest profile projects. McCormack Demolition - the first Northern Ireland based contractor to become a member of the NFDC - is currently using a series of JCB m
26/09/2013
At the Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois, Minister of State for Forestry, Tom Hayes TD, presented certificates to a number of companies newly certified under the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme, which is run by the Irish Bioenergy Association – IrBEA. Speaking at the presentation t
26/09/2013
Double paralympic gold medallist and ESB Networks employee Mark Rohan joined ESB Networks Managing Director Jerry O'Sullivan at the National Ploughing Championships yesterday to launch the new ESB Networks Customer Service Improvement Plan. The Plan is based on feedback from customers, and outlines
26/09/2013
Ireland's air quality currently is among the best in Europe but maintaining this standard is a growing challenge, according to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) latest air quality report. The report, Air Quality In Ireland 2012 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality, released today sho
26/09/2013
Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton, today joined Aongus Hegarty, Dell's President of Europe, Middle East and Africa and Cormac Costelloe, General Manager, Dell Financial Services, EMEA to officially launch Dell's bank in Ireland. Speaking at the o
26/09/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today announced an extension to L'Derry's archaeological dig which is uncovering artefacts some 4,000 years old. The dig will now continue until Friday 11th October 2013. The Minister also announced that the dig will be open to the public on Saturday 28th Septemb
26/09/2013
Airtel ATN, dedicated to the development of communications software for the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN), has announced that it has moved to a new, larger office to cater for growth. The announcement was made by Minister Seán Sherlock, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation,
25/09/2013
Clare Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed the announcement by Shannon Airport-headquartered Eirtech Aviation that it will shortly begin painting aircraft in the former Alitalia Paint hanger at Rome's Fiumicino Airport. The Shannon-based Senator said the Rome facility brings the company's number of de
25/09/2013
Central Bank Governor Prof Patrick Honohan will appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform to discuss mortgage resolution, banking and credit provision issues. The meeting comes after the detailed engagement by the Committee with the four main banks in early Se
25/09/2013
Northern Ireland Housing Executive's (NIHE) Chief Executive Dr John McPeake has announced his intention to retire after 31 years of service to housing in Northern Ireland. During his long and distinguished career in the Housing Executive he has held a number of key posts including Head of Research
25/09/2013
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte T.D., has announced that his Department has sought tenders for the provision of expert advice on the 'fitness-for-purpose' of the current oil and gas fiscal terms. On the 9 of July last, in the context of the conclusion of the D
25/09/2013
Galway West Labour TD, Derek Nolan, has signed a SIPTU petition calling on the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, to "respect community sector workers and meet their union". More than 1,000 people have signed the petition in response to Minister Hogan's refusa
25/09/2013
Tom Hayes TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry, has announced the issue of financial approvals for forestry planting for the 2013 autumn planting season. The Minister of State commented: "I am pleased to announce that my Depart
25/09/2013
A resurfacing scheme is due to start on Monday 30 September on the Lisburn Road, Belfast. The £320,000 scheme involves the resurfacing of the carriageway on the Lisburn Road, between Ulsterville Avenue and Windsor Park, and is expected to take approximately four weeks to complete. The works on the
25/09/2013
O'Kane Poultry Ltd has been fined a total of £1,000 plus court costs at Ballymena Magistrates' Court for making polluting discharges to a waterway. On 23 March 2012, a report of a pollution incident at a poultry farm at 84 Benvardin Road, Ballymena which is owned and operated by O'Kane Poultry Limi
24/09/2013
The contract signing has took place for work to begin on the development of a new Primary Care facility and Community Mental Health Centre in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim. The new development will involve the refurbishment of the former North Western Health Board headquarters into a modern Primary Car
24/09/2013
Community groups are being reminded that they can apply for grants of up to £10,000 for projects that will boost recycling in their area. Belfast City Council recently announced its Zero Waste Community Grant scheme which is aimed at increasing Belfast's recycling rate as well as improving local en
24/09/2013
64% of construction companies have been asked to do a job for cash outside of the tax system. A new Construction Industry Federation (CIF) survey on the black economy in the construction sector also revealed that 57% of construction companies have been approached by construction workers offering
24/09/2013
Sinn Féin MLA Caitriona Ruane has said that we are now at a crucial time in the development of the Narrow Water Bridge, as we need funders to now commit to the project. Ms Ruane said: "We are very close to decision time in relation to Narrow Water Bridge. I would like to pay tribute to both Louth C
24/09/2013
Mr Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has welcomed the publication of the Report of Independent Review of the registration arrangements for Architects under the Building Control Act 2007. The report follows a review undertaken by Mr. Garrett Fennell, Sol
24/09/2013
Environment Minister Mark Durkan announced that the Marine Act (Northern Ireland) 2013 has come into operation. This is the final piece of an ambitious marine legislative programme, which strengthens Northern Ireland's ability to manage its marine waters in a better way. The Act's implementation w
24/09/2013
Sinn Féin MLA's Bronwyn McGahan and Declan McAleer have called on rural stakeholders to have their say on the new Rural Development Programme. The two MLAs have organised a public consultation for Thursday 3 October in Kelly's Inn, Garvaghey at 7pm. Ms McGahan ssaid: "DARD has already hosted a num
24/09/2013
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has officially opened Ireland's most energy efficient data centre. The B10 facility constructed by Dataplex was formally opened by An Taoiseach, alongside Dataplex CEO Eddie Kilbane. The Dataplex data centre is now the greenest in Ireland and has been designed, manufactured,
23/09/2013
Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed news from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, that approval has been given for almost €500,000 for capital works projects in marine leisure and tourism infrastructure. The funding will cover three projects in
23/09/2013
Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte, has launched Ireland's second Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (23rd-29th September). He expressed his satisfaction that following the high profile experienced by last year's Awareness week, it is now an annual event. He said: "At last year's launch event, we hea
23/09/2013
Speaking on the Gas Regulation Bill 2013, which will facilitate the sale of the power generation and customer supply business of Bord Gáis, Fine Gael Mayo Deputy Michelle Mulherin, welcomed the legislation saying the sale will provide funds for future investment projects and that the Bill will addre
23/09/2013
Irish renewable company, Biotricity Ltd, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Irish Farmers' Association covering the purchase and management of straw feedstock for its Rhode, Co. Offaly biomass plant in the Irish midlands which is scheduled to come into production from late 2015.
23/09/2013
NI Water is appealing for the assistance of the community after the discovery of unauthorised access and theft at Altnahinch Water Treatment Works in Loughguile. Some incidents can potentially have very serious implications for the communities served by the facilities such as an interruption to the
23/09/2013
SDLP MP for South Down has called for the British Chancellor to bring forward plans to extend the fuel rebate scheme to rural areas such as South Down. Ms Ritchie stated: "I am pleased that the Treasury has accepted from the first batch of evidence that there is a case for extending the existing f
23/09/2013
The Alliance Party has taken its campaign to save the Exploris Aquarium to the Environment Minister, urging him to step in and save the Portaferry tourist favourite. Kieran McCarthy MLA and Councillor Alan McDowell want Minister Durkan to intervene and freeze the decision made by Ards Borough Counc
23/09/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has revealed work is set to begin on two £25,000 schemes to provide pedestrian crossings at Hillhead Road, Stewartstown and Orritor Street, Cookstown. Work will begin at Main Street, Stewartstown, on Tuesday 1 October and at Orritor Street, Cookstown on M
20/09/2013
A delegation from the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) met with Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin TD in the Department of Finance. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss some of the major issues facing the industry ahea
20/09/2013
Dublin's Lord Mayor Oisín Quinn has opened Dublin's newest allotment, The Grattan Park Allotment, at Grattan Park, Grattan Crescent, Inchicore. Grattan Park Allotment features 40 allotments on a 1,600 hectare site. Lord Mayor Quinn said: "This allotment allows local people in Kilmainham and Inchic
20/09/2013
South Dublin County Council (SDCC) has confirmed proposed agreement with the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to facilitate development at The Square, Towncentre, Tallaght. SDCC, following detailed analysis, considers that the disposal of certain lands within the vicinity of The Square Shopp
20/09/2013
Labour Party Senator and barrister, Lorraine Higgins, has questioned Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, on the legality of the turf compensation scheme offered to those with bogs on Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). Speaking in the Seanad today Senator Higgins sa
20/09/2013
Speaking on the mortgage arrears debate in the Dáil, Fine Gael Cork North West Deputy, Áine Collins, said that banks must be discouraged from going after the low hanging fruit where customers in mortgage arrears are concerned, and instead must offer reasonable and practical solutions to those in ser
20/09/2013
The application process to find Ireland's brightest spark is now open as Donal Flynn, Group Finance Director, ESB, joined Paddy Cosgrave, founder and CEO of the Dublin Web Summit, to announce details of the 2013 ESB Spark of Genius Award at this year's Dublin Web Summit. Now in its fourth year, th
20/09/2013
Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing, Dessie Ellis TD, is criticising NAMA for attempting to spin old undelivered promises on housing as a new story. A representative of NAMA, speaking at the annual conference of the Irish Council for Social Housing, said NAMA had offered 4,000 homes as part of a soci
20/09/2013
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, has announced that the 2014 round of the Bioenergy Scheme, which aids the planting of the energy crops willow and miscanthus, is now open for applications from farmers. The Scheme has supported the planting of over 3,300 hectares of energy crops
19/09/2013
Taoiseach Enda Kenny formally launched University College Dublin's new Energy Institute. The Institute has attracted donor funding of €5m and substantial additional funding from industry. The Institute will concentrate its research on Energy Systems Integration which provides the basis for enhanc
19/09/2013
Sinn Féin MLA Caitriona Ruane has said that she is absolutely delighted that Louth County Council has pledged €2m extra funding for the Narrow Water Bridge. Ms Ruane said: "I welcome the news that extra funding to complete the Narrow Water Bridge has been promised by Louth County Council. This anno
19/09/2013
Deputy Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has condemned government's move to sell off Bord Gáis Energy. Speaking during the Gas Regulation Bill in the Dáil chamber Deputy Colreavy said: "It is not without irony that the Gas Regulation Bill is i
19/09/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has opened a new £2.3m social housing scheme at Mullacreevie Green in Armagh. The new development of 21 family homes by Fold Housing Association has been provided with part funding from the Northern Ireland Executive. All have been allocated to families
19/09/2013
Protecting the environmental resources we already have, including our water resources, will be a priority for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the coming years, according to Director General of the EPA, Laura Burke. She was speaking at the ninth annual Environment Ireland conference,
19/09/2013
A leading renewable energy developer, Amber Green Energy, has created six new jobs with support from Invest Northern Ireland's Jobs Fund. Based in Moy and Belfast, Amber Green Energy helps clients with the planning and design of sustainable green technologies for solar, anaerobic digestion, wind, a
19/09/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced a major investment in the roads network in Armagh. Resurfacing schemes will take place on Keady Road, Newtownhamilton; Summerisland Road, Ardress and Derrynoose Road, Keady in the coming months. Work is also due to be completed on the Armagh Road, Char
19/09/2013
The Dáil will debate a Fianna Fáil motion tonight and tomorrow morning which seeks key changes to the government's approach to tackling the escalating mortgage arrears crisis. Among the measures called for by Fianna Fáil are: • a clear definition of a 'sustainable solution' under the Mortgage Arre
18/09/2013
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, has announced the creation of 25 new jobs and a €3.5m expansion plan at Carlow company Burnside Eurocyl Ltd. The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland. A number of the
18/09/2013
SpillTech Environmental Ltd., the Monaghan-based company which offers a range of fast, cost-effective and environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions, has won the top Public Sector Award for Excellence 2013 in the environmental category for its environmentally-friendly decontamination services. Com
18/09/2013
Sinn Féin finance spokesperson, Pearse Doherty TD, has said the new targets, for concluded agreements on mortgages, lack ambition and are wide open to abuse. Mr Doherty said: "The setting of concrete targets for conclusions, rather than just offers by the banks, is welcome but overdue. "I am disap
18/09/2013
Medtronic has opened a new Customer Innovation Centre in Galway, Ireland, providing state of the art facilities for physicians and Medtronic engineers to work together on developing new therapies that will improve clinical outcomes, provide economic value and increase access to quality healthcare fo
18/09/2013
During the month of August, more than £2.3m was earmarked for investment in schools under the minor works scheme. Education Minister, John O'Dowd said: "One of my top priorities is raising educational standards and I am confident that ongoing investment in the minor works programmes will help achi
18/09/2013
SDLP Foyle MLA, Colum Eastwood, has met with employees from Rock Shopfitting Services who visited Parliament Buildings. Rock, who employ over 100 workers in the greater North West, are facing the threat of closure after the withdrawal of their main contract from Tesco. Rock have claimed that Tes
18/09/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the installation of £75,000 worth of replacement street lighting at Queens Road, Lisburn. The scheme between Seymour Street and Sloan Street is due to commence on Tuesday 1 October 2013 and will be fully operational within eight weeks. The
18/09/2013
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has announced that an Omagh based company is investing to strengthen its position in South Africa. Terex Finlay, a global leader in tracked mobile materials processing machinery, is locating two key marketing and engineering support staff in Johannesburg to support
17/09/2013
Irish energy company Vayu has signed a €1.2m electricity-supply deal with Ecocem, Ireland's specialist producer of environmentally friendly cement. Under the agreement, Vayu will supply Ecocem with 100% green electricity to meet all its year-round electricity requirements. The deal will provide Ecoc
17/09/2013
The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Oisín Quinn, will open Ballyfermot's newly refurbished, state-of-the-art library on Ballyfermot Road, Dublin 10, today, Tuesday 17 September. The new community library features a colourful new layout with bright and spacious facilities for the people of Ballyfermot. Its of
17/09/2013
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, Dessie Ellis TD, has welcomed Minister Hogan's statement heralding a process of engagement in the Priory Hall scandal. Minister Hogan asked the Department of Environment officials to meet with Dublin City Council, the Irish Banking Federation, NAMA, former residents
17/09/2013
As part of the Government's decision in February 2013 to appoint Special Liquidators to IBRC, it was decided that the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA), would acquire any commercial and residential loans which were unsold after the Special Liquidators had completed a loan valuation and sales p
17/09/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning permission for Northern Ireland's first RADAR (Risk Avoidance and Danger Awareness Resource) which will include a road crossing, bus, train, car, house, police station, court room, dark alleyway, farm scenario and park scene. The innovative
17/09/2013
ESB has announced that the first Great Electric Drive, which got underway in September 2012, has drawn to a close with 21 ambassadors covering a total of approximately 105,000 kilometres of pure electric driving. In the process, they recorded combined fuel cost savings of €13,500, eliminating over 1
17/09/2013
An incident of vandalism at a wastewater treatment works in Carrickfergus could have led to a pollution incident or someone getting seriously hurt, NI Water has warned. The recent break-in at the works, which treats wastewater flows from properties in the Carrickfergus area, is the third in a serie
17/09/2013
The Department of the Environment has announced two searches for illegally buried waste in County L'Derry. The searches, which form part of 'Operation Toothfish', were carried out by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's (NIEA) Environmental Crime Unit with assistance from the PSNI. The search
16/09/2013
Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte T.D., today officially opened Ireland's first community owned wind farm in Templederry, Co. Tipperary. Templederry Community Wind Farm counts students, farmers and a local priest amongst its owners. The group is now producing green electricity and selling it to th
16/09/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has visited Banbridge to view the completion of the public realm works in Rathfriland Street. The Rathfriland Street Public Realm scheme in Banbridge aimed to enhance a busy commercial area which links to the refurbished Solitude Park. The scheme inclu
16/09/2013
SDLP MP Mark Durkan, MLA Mark H Durkan, and Northland Councillor John Boyle have welcomed the installation of traffic lights and a new slip road at the junction of Springtown Road and Foyle Springs Road. The party has been lobbying the Department for Regional Development to introduce these measures
16/09/2013
Limerick Arts Office has announced details of the country's first subsidised living space scheme for artists. An open call has been made to recognised cultural practitioners, including contemporary visual artists, performers, musicians and writers, to apply for the use of six newly-refurbished resi
16/09/2013
The announcement by Airbnb that it is to locate in Dublin is a major coup for the city, according to Fianna Fáil Dublin Spokesperson Darragh O'Brien. Mr O'Brien said: "I welcome the fact that Airbnb is locating its European customer experience team in Dublin. This is great news for the city and add
16/09/2013
Commenting on press reports that the government is to initiate talks regarding Priory Hall, involving the banks and Dublin City Council, Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor, Mícheál Mac Donncha, who represents the area, said clarity is needed from the government about what it proposes to do about Prior
16/09/2013
Homeowners, renters and landlords are being reminded by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) to make gas safety their number one priority during this year's Gas Safety Week, which gets under way today, Monday 16 September. Business owners and managers are also being urged to
16/09/2013
A team of 13 from Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) will be taking over the running of the Action Cancer charity shop on 4 Hill Street, Newry on Thursday 19 September as part of Business in the Community's Cares Shops' Challenge. Altogether, 12 teams from 11 different companies have been planning
13/09/2013
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, turned the sod at a new Tullamore D.E.W. distillery at the company's headquarters in County Offaly. Minister Coveney said: "Tullamore D.E.W. is one of the original great names in the rich heritage of Irish whiskey. It is a great satis
13/09/2013
Wave energy developer Carnegie Wave Energy Limited has announced that it has partnered with the Marine Renewable Energy Ireland Centre on a collaborative research project. The project has been funded in conjunction with Beaufort Research University College Cork. Carnegie will be collaborating wit
13/09/2013
The National Transport Authority must now publish their full plan for Dublin City, according to the Green Party. Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan said: "The National Transport Authority (NTA) must now publish their full plan for Dublin City. The shockingly conservative response from Dublin City Counci
13/09/2013
Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has accepted Ireland's first ever 'European Diploma of Protected Areas Award' from the Council of Europe for the sustainable management of the Burren. Professor Michael Usher, Chairman of the Group of Specialists for the European Dip
13/09/2013
A Belfast-based company has been awarded a contract to do the interior refit-out of international designer brand Oscar de la Renta's new concept store in New York. Portview Fit-Out was nominated for the job following its successful fit-out of the iconic brand's first concept store in London's Mayfa
13/09/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has visited the site of the A8 Belfast to Larne Dual Carriageway improvement works to review progress. Construction on 14km of the existing A8, between Coleman's Corner Roundabout and Ballyrickard Road, to improve it to dual carriageway standard, is now 1
13/09/2013
Sinn Fein's Housing spokesperson Fra McCann is demanding the urgent release of the report into housing maintenance contracts by DSD Minister Nelson McCausland. Mr McCann said: "I believe that the report into housing maintenance contracts is complete and it should be released into the public domain
13/09/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £270,000 major resurfacing scheme on A5 Curr Road, Omagh. Work is due to begin on 16 September at two sites on the Curr Road between its junctions with Seskinore Road and Moylagh Road. The first site involves resurfacing approximately 0
12/09/2013
Minister for Research & Innovation, Seán Sherlock TD, has attended the opening of a new production facility in Arklow, as Gaines Europe Limited announced the creation of 15 jobs and the retention of 70 jobs. Parent company Rondo Food has invested €6m in the new state of the art production facility,
12/09/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport, Timmy Dooley TD, has called for action from the Ministers for Transport and Justice as well as the Road Safety Authority (RSA) over alleged illegal haulage activity from Foynes Port in Limerick. Deputy Dooley was speaking after a protest by
12/09/2013
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton, TD, and the Irish Development Authority (IDA) Ireland, led the opening ceremony of a new Qualcomm Incorporated Global Technology Delivery Centre in Cork. The new centre will support Qualcomm's global operations teams in the delivery
12/09/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland today announced funding of £145,000 for the construction of a multi-use games area in Lurgan. The new facility which will be located at Dickson Primary School, Mourneview, Lurgan, will provide young people in the area with a state of the art venue for p
12/09/2013
Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has described the Troika's targets for the banks to reach agreements with distressed mortgage holders as lacking ambition. Deputy Doherty said the government needs to be breathing down the necks of the banks to ensure that they are offering homeown
12/09/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has visited Banbridge to view the completion of the public realm works in Rathfriland Street. The Rathfriland Street Public Realm scheme in Banbridge aimed to enhance a busy commercial area which links to the refurbished Solitude Park. The scheme inclu
12/09/2013
SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan has said there will be "consternation and frustration" in the North West that the second stage of a £22m upgrade for the L'Derry to Coleraine railway line has been delayed for a further year. Mr Durkan said: "There will be consternation and frustration in yet another delay
12/09/2013
Ennis has been named Ireland's Tidiest Large Urban Centre for the fifth time in the 55-year history of the National TidyTowns Competition. The result was announced by Mr. Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at the 2013 National SuperValu TidyTowns Awards Ceremony
11/09/2013
Clare County Council has signed a contract with L&M Keating Ltd. of Kilmihil, Co. Clare, for the provision of a new social housing development at Glór na Srutha, Knockbrack Lower in Clonlara. The 12-unit housing scheme is being constructed as part of the ongoing Clare County Council Social Housing
11/09/2013
Energy use per household fell by 18% between 2006 and 2011 according to a new report Residential Energy in Ireland (2013) and published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Energy efficiency improvement trebled in pace during that five year period compared with the previous ten
11/09/2013
West Tyrone Sinn Féin Assembly member, Declan McAleer has welcomed confirmation from Roads Minister Danny Kennedy that the A5 scheme is 'delayed' and not 'abandoned' and that the assessment dealing with the EU Habitats Directive is on-going. Speaking after questioning the Minister during question t
11/09/2013
Labour MEP Phil Prendergast has said that today's approval of the first ever set of EU-wide standards regulating mortgage loans means borrowers will enjoy better protection, while adding stability to the overall economy. Speaking following the successful vote to regulate a market that represents mo
11/09/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a £175,000 major resurfacing scheme on the A5 Victoria Road in Bready is scheduled to begin on 23 September. Improvements on Victoria Road, the main road between Strabane and Londonderry, will take place between its junction at Donaghea
11/09/2013
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson, Dessie Ellis TD, is blaming Fine Gael and Labour for the rise in homelessness. He was speaking as the Peter McVerry Trust released its annual report showing record numbers in need of hot meals, emergency shelter or residential placement. Deputy Ellis said: "It is c
11/09/2013
A road closure will take place this weekend at Carn Roundabout, Craigavon, as a major £80,000 resurfacing scheme continues. The work was programmed to be completed over the weekend of Saturday 7 September - Monday 9 September, but due to a bad weather forecast, the final phase of the work had to be
11/09/2013
Mr Martin Mallon (57) of Milltown Road, Benburb, has been fined £1,000 at Dungannon Magistrates' Court for two breaches of waste management legislation. Between September 2012 and January 2013, officers from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), investigated a site, owned by Mr Mallon, on
10/09/2013
ON Semiconductor, driving innovation in energy efficiency, has moved its Limerick Design Center into an expanded and technically upgraded campus. The newly acquired state-of-the-art facilities, located at Limerick's Raheen Business Park, now boast 2,000 square meters of office space and engineering
10/09/2013
ForceField Energy, an international manufacturer, seller and distributor of energy products and solutions, has announced the signing of a three-year distribution agreement with First Choice Energy Ireland (FCEI), a global supplier of energy solutions. Under the terms of the agreement, FCEI will su
10/09/2013
Vermilion Energy has reported a fatal injury occurred this weekend during construction of the Corrib project in Ireland. Vermilion owns an 18.5% working interest in the project, which is operated by Shell E&P Ireland Limited ("SEPIL"). The firm said: "Human safety and environmental protection ar
10/09/2013
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Tom Hayes, TD, with responsibility for forestry, has opened 'Talking Timber', a timber marketing event organised by Teagasc with the co-operation of the Irish timber industry, which was held in the Devon Inn Hotel, Templeglantin
10/09/2013
Moynalty, Co Meath, has been named as Ireland's Tidiest Town for 2013. Moynalty was named best of the 832 towns and villages that entered this year's SuperValu National TidyTowns competition. The announcement was greeted by great celebration at the awards ceremony in The Helix in Dublin. On
10/09/2013
Health and Safety Works NI (HSWNI) is holding a series of five workshops which will explain how to prepare a method statement and a construction health and safety plan. The workshops, aimed at owners or safety officers of small construction companies, will make use of templates and worked examples
10/09/2013
Firmus energy is raising its gas tariff prices for customers outside of greater Belfast by 14.4 % on 1 October 2013. Tariffs for firmus energy's 40,000 customers in greater Belfast, which were increased in April 2013, remain unchanged. After two years of no price rises in the 'Ten Towns', the inc
10/09/2013
Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy said that plans are progressing well on the new scheme to provide a footway link from Ballymena to Cullybackey. Work completed to date includes almost two kilometres of new footway between the Woodtown Road and Cullybackey and the upgrade of almost 1.5 kilometre of
09/09/2013
Some €300m will need to be set aside as incentives to boost Irish wind farm development if the Republic is to meet its renewable energy targets, the utility regulator has said. A total of 40% of Ireland's electricity is to be supplied by renewable sources by 2020, under an agreement the State reach
09/09/2013
Employers' group IBEC has called on local authorities to reduce commercial rates and water charges. It comes after a survey it carried out revealed that businesses continue to pay "boomtime" levels, with €1.4bn being spent on commercial rates and €200m in water charges. The group found that all bu
09/09/2013
Some 250,000 homes in Ireland have been upgraded to date as part of the Better Energy schemes. 100,000 homes received free home energy upgrades through the Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme and a further 150,000 homes received grants for insulation and heating upgrades as part of the Better Energy
09/09/2013
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has produced a plan to "transform the movement of traffic in Dublin City Centre", according to the Irish Times. Citing a report from the authority seen by the paper, it is understood that the NTA, in consultation with Dublin City Council, produced the paper in
09/09/2013
A new survey has found that the rate of decline in the construction industry eased for the first time in over six years. The survey, Ulster Bank's Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI), found growth in two of the three sectors it tracks. A rise in residential construction projects resulted in the first
09/09/2013
Fire safety experts have warned that hundreds of boom era apartment blocks could be as unsafe as Priory Hall. Concerns have been raised that many apartment complexes could suffer the same problems that were identified in the Tom McFeely-built Priory Hall in North Dublin. Following the revelations
06/09/2013
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar, and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Investment Arlene Foster have announced that Irish Lighthouses will be the focus of a new all-island, European Union INTERREG IVA funded €2.5million tourism and job creation project. The All Island Lighthous
06/09/2013
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has launched his plan to tackle the blight of empty homes. The new Empty Homes Strategy and Action Plan 2013-2018, part of the Minister's recently announced Housing Strategy 'Facing the Future', will help bring empty homes across Northern Ireland back into use. S
06/09/2013
EirGrid has published a significant report on the Grid Link Project identifying a number of feasible 1km wide route corridor options for a new 400kV overhead power line linking Leinster and Munster. The publication of the Stage 1 Report coincides with the beginning of a 12-week public consultation
06/09/2013
Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has called on the Minister for Social Development to champion the cause of home-owners who have seen the condition of their property deteriorate since the means-tested grants ceased some years ago. The West Belfast MLA and Sinn Féin spokesperson on housing said: "I have dea
06/09/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath has said the key fact to emerge from this week's Oireachtas Finance committee hearings with the banks, is their extraordinary reliance on legal action to repossess homes to achieve the mortgage arrears resolution targets set for them by the governm
06/09/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Environment and Local Government Barry Cowen has said the treatment of community sectors workers by Environment Minister Phil Hogan is disgraceful. The Minister is pressing ahead with the alignment of Local Development Companies (LDCs) with Local Authorities without eng
06/09/2013
Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy has announced the installation of a £60,000 replacement street lighting scheme at O'Neill Road, Glengormley. The scheme, between Antrim Road and Church Road Roundabout, is due to start on 16 September and will be fully operational within six weeks. Mr Kennedy said
06/09/2013
Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, has expressed his disappointment that the second phase of the L'Derry to Coleraine rail project could be delayed by up to 12 months. Translink has encountered issues in relation to procurement meaning the second phase of the scheme to create a passing l
05/09/2013
Cavan County Council has secured funding of €2.1m for the refurbishment of Cavan Town Water Treatment Plant. The Council has entered into a contract with Glan Agua Limited to revamp and improve the treatment plant. According to Councillor Val Smith, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council: "The wor
05/09/2013
Deputy Michael Colreavy, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, has criticised the increase in gas prices by Bord Gáis. Speaking after the announcement that Bord Gáis are to increase gas bills by more than 2%, Deputy Colreavy said: "As we approach winter this is no
05/09/2013
IRN, global summits organiser, has announced that Minister O'Dowd will be in attendance at the Ireland Oil & Gas 2013 Summit, where he will be giving the opening key-note speech to provide the audience with governmental insights on the booming Irish energy industry. The event will provide an in dep
05/09/2013
Fine Gael TD for Dublin North, Alan Farrell, has urged the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD, to ensure that the planned legislation to establish the Pyrite Levy Fund is given top priority in the upcoming Dáil session. Mr Farrell said: "I have written to Mi
05/09/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has welcomed the near completion of a £220,000 major resurfacing scheme on the Spout Road in Strabane. Asphalt resurfacing is being laid on a section of Spout Road from a location 400 metres east of Strabane town boundary for a distance of 1.8 kilometres
05/09/2013
Newstalk has announced that Energia is to sponsor the Pat Kenny Show. Newstalk's €1m advertising campaign for The Pat Kenny Show may be imploring RTÉ listeners to 'move the dial' in its direction, but the show's sponsor, gas and electricity supplier Energia, is hoping Kenny's audience will prove as
05/09/2013
Ulster Unionist Education Spokesperson, Danny Kinahan, has called for the current area planning process to be 'suspended immediately' before the situation is allowed to deteriorate any further. The South Antrim MLA was speaking after concerns regarding the process, which was originally intended to
05/09/2013
Recently, a congregation of more than 1,000 people crammed into the Waterfront Hall Belfast to celebrate the Higher Education successes of South Eastern Regional College (SERC) students. Joined together with family, friends and tutors, the graduation celebrated the efforts and academic achievemen
04/09/2013
O'Donovans Off-Licence, a family run business with 16 branches across Cork, have signed an electricity supply deal with leading independent energy provider Energia. The deal, which is worth approximately €180,000, will see Energia supply more than 1.2 gigawatt hours of electricity to 16 O'Donovan O
04/09/2013
The newly built Medical Assessment Unit at Mallow General Hospital opened on Tuesday 3 September 2013, replacing the temporary facility that it had been operating in since last March. The new eight-bed unit, which will be open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm, will treat patients referred directl
04/09/2013
Fine Gael TDs and members of the Oireachtas Finance Committee, Regina Doherty and Liam Twomey, have welcomed a commitment from AIB CEO, David Duffy, that the bank will write down hundreds of millions of euro in distressed mortgages over the coming 12 months. The Deputies were speaking after Mr Duf
04/09/2013
Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha has called on Environment Minister Phil Hogan to immediately meet the Priory Hall residents. Councillor Mac Donncha said: "Minister Phil Hogan's comments on Priory Hall on Seán O'Rourke's programme raised more questions than answers. "Firstly, M
04/09/2013
Electric Ireland has announced that its gas prices will increase by 2.0% from 1 October 2013. This will result in an average increase of c€0.35 per week on the average residential gas bill. The price increase is primarily due to the increase in regulatory approved charges recently announced by Th
04/09/2013
Denis Fahy is Owner of Denis Fahy (DF) Construction, roofing specialists based in Sligo, Ireland, with over 12 years' experience in the industry. Denis and his team were recently approached by a renewable energy wind turbine company, Global Electric Services, who were moving into new offices. The p
04/09/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection and Social Equality, Willie O'Dea TD, says Minister Joan Burton cannot again cut the Fuel Allowance and Household Benefits Package in next month's budget, considering the huge amount of strain being placed on struggling families. Deputy O'Dea said the 2
04/09/2013
Strangford DUP MLA, Jonathan Bell has today contacted DOE Roads Service and Northern Ireland Water regarding the flooding on Belfast Road, Newtownards this morning. Mr Bell said: "My Office this morning has been communicating with DOE Roads Service and Northern Ireland Water regarding the flooding
03/09/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Michael Moynihan TD, has expressed his concern at the announcement that Bord Gáis has been granted another price increase by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). Deputy Moynihan commented: "This is the third major gas
03/09/2013
Irish holiday home specialists, Trident Holiday Homes, have signed a major new electricity supply deal with Ireland's greenest electricity provider, Energia. In a deal worth more than €300,000, Energia will supply electricity to the company's 250 sites at 20 locations around Ireland. These include
03/09/2013
A series of public information sessions will be held later this month to update residents and centre users about future plans for Olympia Leisure Centre. The public are welcome to go to the Centre on Wednesday 23 September, from 8.15pm to 9pm. Those wishing to attend can register via stadium@belfas
03/09/2013
Ennis Town Council has announced that it will shortly commence a major retrofitting programme that will result in almost 130 Ennis Town Council dwellings benefiting from energy upgrades. The Local Authority has received funding from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to carry out en
03/09/2013
SDLP Deputy Leader Dolores Kelly has said the Land Transfer agreement must be completed for Laurencetown play park. The Upper Bann MLA and her colleague, Knockiveagh Councillor Seamus Doyle, has said the Housing Executive must not delay any further. Ms Kelly said: "It is imperative that the land t
03/09/2013
DRD Minister, Danny Kennedy, has announced the start of a £65,000 improvement scheme on Battery Road/Drumenny Road, Coagh, near Cookstown. The work is due to begin on Monday 9 September 2013 at this busy staggered crossroads on the B73 Battery Road and B161 Drumenny Road, Coagh. During this period,
03/09/2013
Dublin City Council has announced a new traffic scheme that will make travelling in the St. Stephen's Green area easier. This will result in less disruption when the utility works for Luas Cross City begin in 2014. The council announced today that work will begin on the St. Stephen's Green Traff
03/09/2013
Visitors to Ireland in the year of the Gathering have never seen the country looking as well, according to the latest survey by Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL). For the first time, both Dublin and Cork City are clean to European norms, as are the roads from Dublin Airport. The group has warned
03/09/2013
Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Centre has been shortlisted for the Recycling Centre of the Year by Repak who run the Award annually. The centre was also shortlisted and received a certificate in recognition of its sustainable business practices. Operating to serve householders and small to
03/09/2013
Construction firm Western Building Systems, based in County Tyrone, has achieved 'full marks' for hard work over the summer months, as it prepares to hand over 27 new school buildings to schools throughout Ireland and the UK, ready for the new school term. The total value of the schools contracts i
02/09/2013
Mr Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has announced the 2013 Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund. This fund, which has operated since 1997, supports local environmental initiatives by communities, individuals and not-for-profit groups.
02/09/2013
Tourism Minister Arlene Foster has officially opened the Westville Watersedge Apartments in Enniskillen. The complex of 12 self-catering apartments overlooking Lough Rossole and Lough Erne, has been awarded four-star status under the Northern Ireland Tourist Board's Accommodation Quality Grading Sc
02/09/2013
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is calling on the Government to use the opportunity available to them in the forthcoming Budget to stimulate the economy as this will create jobs, increase tax revenue and reduce social welfare costs. In the 'CIF Budget 2014 Submission' document, the CIF
02/09/2013
Fine Gael Cork South Central Deputy, Jerry Buttimer, has said that funding models which would support the development of a Convention Centre in Cork must be explored. Deputy Buttimer was commenting after he raised the issue of the economic benefits of convention centres with the Minister for Tran
02/09/2013
Fianna Fáil Group Leader in Dublin City Council, Mary Fitzpatrick, has confirmed that the Council will begin to install domestic water meters this month. Councillor Fitzpatrick said: "Dublin City Council was however unable to provide any information or any details of the 'First Fix Free' repair s
02/09/2013
The Ulster Unionist Party's East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs, has highlighted the need for legislation governing scrap metal dealing, following news of lead stolen from Belfast businesses over recent weeks, which risks considerable weather damage and losses due to business disruption. Commenting, Mr Beggs
02/09/2013
North Down Mayor Andrew Muir and Belfast Lord Mayor Máirtín Ó Muilleoir have met at Belfast City Airport to discuss economic developments at the airport and the potential for a cycle route between Belfast and Holywood to link up the Comber Greenway and the North Down Coastal Path. North Down Mayor
02/09/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath has said he will be raising the plight of the Priory Hall residents with the chief executives of the main banks when they appear before the Oireachtas Finance Committee this week. The chief executive of AIB will appear before the Committee on Tues
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