Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for May 2014
30/05/2014
Mr Seán Sherlock T.D., Minister for Research and Innovation, has officiated at an event to formally switch on Johnson & Johnson's two wind turbines in Cork's lower harbour, which will support the DePuy Synthes and Janssen Biologics manufacturing operations. The wind turbines will reduce environmen
30/05/2014
Northern Ireland Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £24,450 to Creggan Enterprises Ltd to carry out a series of improvements in the Ráth Mór Retail & Business Park, L'Derry. The business park consists of 17 units, providing office, workshop space, storage and bus
30/05/2014
Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann has called on Northern Ireland social development minister Nelson McCausland to make reducing social housing waiting lists a priority. Speaking after the minister requested an additional £15 million in the June monitoring rounds for co-ownership housing, the West Belfast M
30/05/2014
EirGrid has tannounced the appointment of Rosemary Steen to the position of Director Public Affairs. Reporting to the Chief Executive, Rosemary will lead a new Public Affairs Directorate which will be responsible for the formulation and direction of the organisation’s communications strategy with r
30/05/2014
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., has re-opened the Grantstown Wood and Lake Nature Reserve at Ballycolla, Co. Laois. Grantstown Wood and Lake was established as a nature reserve in 1982. It was formally part of the Castletown estate and is located near Grantst
30/05/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today announced planning approval for a 23.8hectare extension to Demesne Quarry, Glenarm. This development, led by OMYA UK Ltd, is for a sideways extension of Demesne Quarry southwards into Tully Field. It will also restore Parishagh Quarry for agricultural uses
30/05/2014
A local carpenter from South Eastern Regional College in Northern Ireland is joining over 100 of the UK's most talented apprentices and learners in June to battle it out in three days of competition, with the aim of securing a place in Squad UK for WorldSkills Sao Paulo 2015. Matthew Hawthorne from
30/05/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has approved planning permission for industrial, retail and residential development on lands at Carnbane Way, Newry. The application by The Hill Partnership proposes a mix of 70 industrial and business units, a retail foodstore, 14 residential units and associated
29/05/2014
Deputy John Lyons welcomed the announcement from Dublin City Council that it will acquire 100% of Ballymun Shopping Centre from NAMA and its receivers. Deputy Lyons said: "Dublin City Council already owned 47% of the Shopping Centre, and this decision today sees them take charge of the rest of the
29/05/2014
EirGrid has applied to the Minister of the Environment, Community and Local Government for a licence to carry out Marine Survey Works at Ballinwilling Strand and Ballycroneen Beach, Co. Cork. It is in relation to the evaluation of a potential route for a high voltage submarine electricity cable con
29/05/2014
The housing market in Dublin will be susceptible to large house price jumps until the supply issue is resolved, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). This follows the publication of the latest CSO data which shows that Dublin house prices rose by 3.1% in April and are up 17.8% on
29/05/2014
Sinn Féin’s Jonathan O'Brien has told Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore that the policies of Social Protection Minister Joan Burton are increasing homelessness. He asked Deputy Gilmore if Minister Burton will instruct community welfare officers to breach the rent supplement limit where a family is at risk of
29/05/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has granted planning approval for a conversion and extension to 'The Ponderosa' Bar, Dungiven. The new facilities will include a coffee shop, new kitchen, toilet facilities, smoking area and relocation of the off licence. At an altitude of over 900 feet, the Pond
29/05/2014
Fianna Fáil has again called on the Government to include Irish Water under the remit of the Ombudsman Office, after the Ombudsman today raised concerns about the absence of any independent complaints procedure for water customers. Speaking on Newstalk radio, Ombudsman Peter Tyndall expressed conce
29/05/2014
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is investing £432,000 in properties in the Dungannon area through heating replacement work. Around 63 of its homes in the area have had their heating upgraded to a more energy efficient system or are due for an upgrade shortly. Working in partnership with BC
29/05/2014
Northern Ireland Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning approval for a £6.5 million transformation of leisure facilities at Londonderry Park in Newtownards. The redevelopment and improvement proposals include the replacement of shale pitches with floodlit synthetic pitches, new m
28/05/2014
The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) has welcomed the publication of a new Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland, published by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, also acknowledging the importance of a consultation process on the paper. Kenneth Matthews, CEO IWEA,
28/05/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today launched a 12 week consultation on proposals for planning reform and its transfer to new councils. The Minister is seeking views on the improvements he intends to introduce in planning as a result of the new two-tier system in Northern Ireland. Under the re
28/05/2014
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has called on the Government to name a date for when the Construction Contracts Act will take effect. The Construction Contracts Act was drawn up to help improve the payment process in the construction industry, an issue which has particularly impacted on
28/05/2014
Environmental Protection Agency figures released show that Ireland faces considerable challenges in moving to a low carbon economy. In particular, there is a significant risk that, even in a best-case scenario, Ireland will not meet its EU 2020 targets. Ireland's EU target is to reduce greenhouse
28/05/2014
Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello has announced €50,000 in funding to support flood relief in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Minister expressed solidarity on behalf of the Irish people with those affected by extreme flooding in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzgovina, Croatia and the region. Mini
28/05/2014
SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has welcomed news 40 jobs are to be created in Crossgar with the construction of a new SuperValu store. The 6,000sq ft store and filling station is due to open in September on the Belfast Road. Ms Ritchie said: "This is very welcome news and I congratulate the o
28/05/2014
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan has announced the publication of the final reports on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) and Tyres and Waste Tyres as part of the on-going review of the Producer Responsibility Initiative (PRI) model in Ireland. Minister Hogan said: "
28/05/2014
'Safety Saves Lives' is the simple message from Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) as the latest figures show a worrying rise in the number of third party damages to the electricity network in the last year. There have been over 1,110 avoidable damages to the high and low voltage network, disrupti
28/05/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has commended roads staff and contractors for the successful completion of road schemes in 2013/2014 which accounted for £8.51million investment in the roads infrastructure in the Coleraine area. Mr Kennedy said: "My Department has invested over £135million in struc
27/05/2014
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) has said it has made a profit of €211m last year. In its fourth annual report, the agency said its operating profit, before tax and other considerations, was €1.2bn, a 45% increase from 2012. From the report, published on Tuesday (27 May), some of the
27/05/2014
Some 40 construction jobs are to be created as work begins on a new SuperValu store in Crossgar, Co Down, it has been reported. According to the developers of the project, the 6,000sq ft store and filling station is expected to open on the Belfast Road later this year. Opening in September, it wil
27/05/2014
Graham Facilities Management has been awarded a £2m contract by George Best Belfast City Airport. The agreement will last for three years and will see a 22-strong team be responsible for a range of services including grounds maintenance, cleaning, energy management and electrical and mechanical se
27/05/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £110,000 major resurfacing and footway reconstruction scheme in Coleraine. The investment will also improve the pedestrian crossing facility on A2 Circular Road in the town. Work is expected to commence on 2 June between the Bann Brid
27/05/2014
A significant water main rehabilitation project is being carried out in Athlone by Westmeath County Council. The project will will replace and upgrade the existing distribution network. Work on the scheme started this week and will be completed by October 2014. The works in the town will be ph
27/05/2014
Some 80 jobs are to be saved after it was revealed that a buyer has been found for the Kilkenny River Court Hotel. According to reports, the premises have been purchased for €9m by The Neville Group – the Wexford-based hotel and construction firm. The four-star hotel went into liquidation in 201
23/05/2014
The longest tunnel ever built in Ireland has been completed in Co. Mayo. The 4.9km tunnel has been under construction since January 2013. The tunnel runs under Sruwaddacon Bay, a special area of conservation (SAC) and will house a key onshore section of the Corrib gas pipeline. The tunnel will b
23/05/2014
Green Party representative for Dún Laoghaire, Ossian Smyth has stated that housing has become a main concern across the ward of Dún Laoghaire. She said: "The Council should be doing more to tackle the new Dublin housing crisis. Instead, they are sitting back and washing their hands of any responsib
23/05/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a major resurfacing scheme of £250,000 at Fairhill Road, Cookstown. Preparatory work began on 19th May on the scheme at Fairhill Road, Cookstown. The works extend from the entrance of Holy Trinity Primary School to Westland Road, a distanc
23/05/2014
Irish firm Mainstream's two solar PV projects built under Round 1 of the South African government's renewable energy programme for independent power producers held opening ceremonies in the Northern Cape. The ceremonies were attended by over 200 people from the local community, government and our
23/05/2014
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, with special responsibility for Horticulture, Tom Hayes TD, has announced that €5 million in funding has been awarded to successful projects under the 2014 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticul
23/05/2014
Dublin based ventilation specialists Fantech have reported a significant growth in supplying equipment to Ireland’s healthcare premises in response to the Irish government's commitment to developing primary healthcare facilities. Ireland has taken a very deliberate move towards relieving the pressu
23/05/2014
The Ashlin Centre, a new purpose built, inpatient psychiatric unit for North Dublin Mental Health Services (NDMHS) has opened to patients. The new unit, located on the Beaumont Hospital Campus replaces the acute inpatient unit formerly located in St Ita's Portrane (and which was located on a tempor
23/05/2014
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Oisín Quinn has opened Dublin City Council's newly refurbished and extended changing rooms in Herbert Park. The facility now includes three separate changing rooms for up to fifteen people in each room with integrated showering facilities, match official changing rooms, a gene
22/05/2014
Dublin City Councillor Mary Fitzpatrick has welcomed An Bord Pleanála's decision to approve the North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock Planning Scheme which will facilitate fast-track planning for the Docklands Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). However Cllr Fitzpatrick stated that: "Social and affordab
22/05/2014
The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) has welcomed Government action on tackling the housing crisis but warns that the non-profit housing sector is being underutilised. "What the Government and Minister Jan O’Sullivan are proposing is very welcome at this time but we must not believe that thi
22/05/2014
A Co Tyrone farmer pleaded guilty and was fined a total of £3,000 plus £25 Court Costs and Offenders Levy of £15 at Dungannon Magistrates Court. Mr William James Hall, Killybracken Road, Dungannon, Co Tyrone was fined for making polluting discharges to a waterway. On 8 March 2013, a Water Quality
22/05/2014
A Northern Ireland fit-out firm has been listed among the UK industry's best performers at the NAS Design Partnership Awards in London. McCue Crafted Fit took top honours in the leisure category for its refit of Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill in the luxury London hotel, The Savoy. The project was p
22/05/2014
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, has announced a capital investment totalling over €46m for a range of housing projects which will provide a total of 416 units of accommodation for people with special housing needs including the elderly, persons with an intellectual or physical dis
22/05/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a £100,000 improvements scheme for Ballynahinch Road in Lisburn is scheduled to begin on Monday 26 May. The resurfacing scheme will take place between Kensington Park and Lisnoe Road. Work on the scheme is expected to be complete by Friday 6 June.
22/05/2014
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis today launched his party's proposals to tackle the social housing crisis in this state. Deputy Ellis said: "The problem with the government's response to homelessness is not the content of their plan but the lack of resources allocated to it. "Sinn Féin'
22/05/2014
Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, has officially opened four new classrooms at St. Mochuo's NS, Rathcoffey, Donadea, Naas, Co Kildare. Rathcoffey NS was one of the beneficiaries of the pre-fab replacement initiative 2012. Funding from the Department, with a grant in excess of €450
22/05/2014
Councillor Mary Fitzpatrick has expressed her alarm in response to the introduction of a new scheme to replace rent supplement, stating that removing families that have applied for short-term rental support from housing waiting lists "will result in social disaster". The Leader of the Fianna Fáil G
21/05/2014
Local election candidate for Clontarf, Donna Cooney, has called on Dublin City Council to make an application for funds available to develop flood defences, with more bad weather forecast for the coming days. Donna Cooney said: "Met Éireann are predicting heavy rain and possible flooding, and the c
21/05/2014
Fianna Fáil has launched a website highlighting a number of case studies where households will be forced to pay far in excess of the Government’s 'average' water charge. It blows the whistle on the Government's spin that families will be charged €240 a year for their water. Based on the CSO's fi
21/05/2014
More than £300,000 will be handed out to communities this year around Northern Ireland's largest Wind Park, Slieve Kirk, as SSE Airtricity prepares to award its largest-ever Community Fund supporting energy efficiency as well as to launch a new Regional Fund to support Third Level education. Now in
21/05/2014
Students from St. Michael's Community College, Kilmihil, Co. Clare were the overall winners of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) search for One Good Idea with their project Green Team 2. The competition aims to inspire people to use less energy in their daily lives. The winning
21/05/2014
Alliance Antrim Councillor Alan Lawther has welcomed the proposal outlined by the Regional Development Minister for a rail link to Belfast International Airport. The plans form part of the Railway Prioritisation Investment Strategy. Councillor Alan Lawther said: "This is very welcome news that a
21/05/2014
Fianna Fáil has described the Government's announcement on tackling homelessness as "a panicked response to an escalating crisis in election week". The party's Environment spokesperson, Barry Cowen, commented: "While I welcome any measures that will go some way to tackling the unprecedented housing
21/05/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning permission for the construction of a new ambulance station hub in Ballymena. The permission is also for associated support facilities for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) adjacent to Ballee Playing Fields. The station and its su
21/05/2014
Clanmil Housing Association's Caffrey Hill family housing scheme has taken first place in the residential category of this year's RICS awards. The awards showcase Northern Ireland's most inspirational initiatives and developments in land, property, construction and the environment. The £26 million
20/05/2014
Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare South Seán Ó Fearghaíl is accusing Irish Water of a timewasting exercise after it was revealed the super quango wants to re-evaluate the Kildare Town waste water project, despite the fact that it has already been through a planning and tendering process. Deputy Ó Fearghaí
20/05/2014
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) wants ambitious and enthusiastic energy saving organisations to enter the 11th annual Sustainable Energy Awards. Over the last decade of the competition, entrants have achieved energy savings in excess of €500m. This year, SEAI is seeking to rewa
20/05/2014
Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy has said that swift action is needed to address the looming housing crisis. The Midlands Northwest candidate, who has been the chairperson of County Monaghan's Housing Strategic Committee for the past five years, was speaking in response to comments from veteran homelessness
20/05/2014
NAMA announces the sale of the Project Tower loan portfolio to Blackstone Real Estate Partners Europe IV. The portfolio relates to loans secured on assets under the control of the O'Flynn Group. The assets are located primarily in Ireland, the UK and Germany. The transaction is expected to be co
20/05/2014
DARD has opened the 2014 Rural Borewells Scheme. The scheme, which is now in its third year, underlines the commitment by Minister O’Neill to addressing poverty and isolation issues in rural areas. Minister O'Neill said: "Many of us take for granted the readily available access to mains drinking w
20/05/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced two road improvement schemes for Antrim totalling £321,000. Resurfacing works will take place in Castle Way, Church Street, High Street and at Chapel Corner roundabout. Mr Kennedy said: "The improvements will result in the overall strengthening of the
20/05/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has set out his vision for the future of railway investment over the next 20 years and beyond. The Railway Investment Prioritisation Strategy published by the Minister signals the potential for the first major extensions to the railway network in Northern Ireland si
20/05/2014
Kenmare Community Nursing Unit has been officially opened by Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Health. The new Community Nursing Unit, built at a cost of €8m, is a 40 bed facility providing continuing care, convalescent and respite care for the local people of Kenmare, Sneem, Castlecove, Bonane and
19/05/2014
Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on the Environment, Brian Stanley TD, has welcomed the decision by the all-party Oireachtas Environment Committee to support the taking of the Sinn Féin Wind Turbine Bill to committee stage. They have requested that the consultation process on the regulations governing wind
19/05/2014
A new Endoscopy Unit at KGH was officially opened by Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Health, today (19 May). The new Unit is a modern, patient-centred build with two procedures rooms, a first stage recovery room and a discharge lounge and replaces the existing one room facility. An endoscopy
19/05/2014
Fine Gael Meath West TD, Ray Butler, has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD that €85,000 will be invested in public areas in Kells, Navan and Trim. The funding comes as part of a €3m Public Area Enhancement Scheme. "Meath County Co
19/05/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has confirmed work has started on the implementation of the new Belfast Rapid Transit (BRT) system. Work on the Belfast Rapid Transit project commenced with the construction of a new 520-space Park & Ride facility in Dundonald. Mr Kennedy said: "This facility is du
19/05/2014
The Green Party has called on An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to save Moore Street and the surrounding 1916 Battlefield site from demolition. Speaking at the 'Arms around Moore Street' rally, the Green Party's local election candidate in Dublin's North Inner City, Ciarán Cuffe, said: "Moore Street and its
19/05/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has condemned an attack on NI Water contractors which happened in North Belfast last week. Mr Kennedy said: "I want to condemn this attack which resulted in significant damage to a lorry and, more importantly, was a very frightening incident for the worke
19/05/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a £395,000 road improvements scheme for the A2 Buncrana Road in County Londonderry is set to begin on Monday 26 May. The resurfacing scheme of a 1.14km stretch of the road from Skeoge Roundabout to the N13 in the Republic of Ireland is expected to
19/05/2014
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD; Minister of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD and Minister of State for Public Service Reform and the OPW, Brian Hayes TD, have officially launched the South Dublin Local Enterprise Office (LEO). The South
16/05/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announces the start of a £150,000 major resurfacing scheme at the Gulladuff Road, Bellaghy. Preliminary work began on 12 May 2014 at the B182 Gulladuff Road, Bellaghy from the village for a distance of approximately 0.9kilometres towards the Drumlamph Roa
16/05/2014
Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, has officially opened a new school for Ennis National School in Co Clare. The project cost in the region of €6.7m. The school, at Ashrine, Kilrush Road in Ennis, was provided with a grant from the Department and was further funded by the Board of
16/05/2014
NI Water is appealing for the assistance of the community after the illegal dumping of septic waste and sewage related debris in the sewage network caused a blockage and subsequent pollution incident at Lisnarick Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) in Fermanagh. Nigel Armstrong, Field Manager for the
16/05/2014
The Government's new construction strategy has the potential to provide a considerable boost to construction activity and create thousands of new construction jobs, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The CIF also called for the 75 actions detailed in the strategy document to b
16/05/2014
In a significant decision, trucking company, Stobart, has been ordered to compensate 18 SIPTU members who were denied their rights when they transferred their employment from the food distributor Keelings in October 2010. The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) reversed an earlier Rights Commissioner
16/05/2014
Eamon Ryan, Green Party leader and MEP candidate for Dublin, has set out an alternative to the failed housing strategy currently advocated by government. Mr Ryan said: "The Government is getting the response to the growing housing crisis in Dublin wrong. What we need is a massive increase in public
16/05/2014
Speaking in London at a debate hosted by the London Irish Business Society, Minister of State, Fergus O'Dowd TD, said: "Offshore Ireland has a significant potential for oil and gas finds. Recent discoveries and on-going petroleum research indicate a positive resource potential, but how this unfolds
16/05/2014
Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey has welcomed news that the Equality Commission is to investigate whether Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland's department breached equality schemes on housing. Speaking after the Equality Commission announced it will conduct an investigation into "potential fail
16/05/2014
A Co Armagh businessman was fined a total of £3,000, £31 court costs and £15 Offenders Levy at Armagh Magistrates' Court today. Mr Jonathan Winter, of Ballymagerney Road, Loughgall, Co Armagh, was fined for making a polluting discharge to a waterway and contravention of a Water (NI) Order 1999 Art
16/05/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £200,000 major resurfacing scheme at A6 Glenshane Road near the village of Curran, Magherafelt, in the next three weeks. Preliminary work will begin on 9 June 2014. The work is expected to last for two weeks on this 400metre stretch of r
15/05/2014
Energy Minister, Pat Rabbitte T.D., has launched a new code of practice from energy suppliers at the Dublin headquarters of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. The 'Energy Engage Code', aimed at protecting customers in financial difficulty, has been voluntarily adopted by the five main energy su
15/05/2014
Fianna Fáil has published a National Housing Strategy that would help address the serious shortage of available housing units and the record numbers waiting on social housing lists. The policy, published today by the party's Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen, aims to increase the housing stock,
15/05/2014
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone has welcomed news Toomebridge firm, SDC Trailers has secured a £10 million order from trailer rental company, Hireco Ltd. The new contract, which means Hireco will have purchased more than 5,000 trailers from SDC Trailers, and will see trailers manufactured across
15/05/2014
Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne, has welcomed the announcement of major investment in national commemoration projects, including Richmond Barracks by the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan TD. A €22m national investment has been allocated for major
15/05/2014
Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath has said that the insurance scheme for mortgage deposits for first time buyers is nothing more than a pre-election "gimmick" and doesn't tackle the real problems faced by first-time buyers when trying to purchase a home. Deputy McGrath said: "Ministe
15/05/2014
Fine Gael TD for Meath East Regina Doherty, has welcomed the announcement of further funding for the pyrite remediation scheme by Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD. She said: "Today's announcement brings to €20m the amount of funding to be allocated by th
15/05/2014
Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland has officially opened the Crèche within the newly extended Footprints Women's Centre in Poleglass. The £140,000 extension to the Centre was fully funded under the Department for Social Development’s Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Programme. As well a
15/05/2014
Transport Minister, Danny Kennedy has announced a major £250,000 road resurfacing scheme on the A25 Newry Road. The works will comprise of approximately 0.65kilometres of carriageway resurfacing of the A25 Newry Road through Camlough village, from south of the U1583, known as Hall Road, to just bey
15/05/2014
Green Party Leader and MEP candidate for Dublin, Eamon Ryan said trying to resolve the growing housing crisis by promoting new demand is the wrong approach. He said: "We need to look instead at ways of increasing housing supply, and in that way keep house prices down, instead of pushing them up. T
15/05/2014
Gareth Harkness, an apprentice Engineer from Ballymena, has been crowned Apprentice of the Year 2014. Gareth, 19, is completing his apprenticeship in Engineering at Northern Regional College, Ballymena. He is employed by Ryobi Aluminium Castings in Carrickfergus, who produce car engine castings tha
14/05/2014
Ciarán Lynch, TD for Cork South Central and Labour Party Spokesperson on Housing, has welcomed the government's announcement to invest €30m for the redevelopment of Pairc Ui Chaoimh in Cork. Mr Lynch said: "The planned state-of-the-art stadium will accommodate 45,000 spectators as well as housing a
14/05/2014
Fianna Fáil's Leader on Dublin City Council, Cllr Mary Fitzpatrick, has slammed the Government's dishonesty over so-called 'new investment' in the water services. Cllr Fitzpatrick pointed out that the announcement of investment of €1.7billion over three years amounts to just under €600 million a ye
14/05/2014
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, TD, of an additional €50m capital expenditure in housing this year. She said: "This is a significant investment that will make a real difference to fam
14/05/2014
Energy Minister, Pat Rabbitte T.D., has launched a new code of practice from energy suppliers at the Dublin headquarters of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. The 'Energy Engage Code', aimed at protecting customers in financial difficulty, has been voluntarily adopted by the five main energy su
14/05/2014
European election candidate, Lorraine Higgins, has called on Irish Water to properly address environmental concerns raised in relation to the Shannon Water project. Higgins is also asking Irish Water to demonstrate that alternatives have been fully explored before commencing this €500 million inves
14/05/2014
Minister for Health Dr James Reilly, has welcomed another significant step in the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital to the campus of St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin. The tender process for the procurement of Design Team Services for the development has now been concluded and f
14/05/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has removed planning fees for non-profit making organisations applying for planning permission for community facilities such as sports grounds and playing fields. This is part of the Minister's overhaul of planning fees to make them simpler and fairer. This will a
14/05/2014
Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD, responding to the announcement by Finance Minister Noonan concerning a new mortgage deposit scheme, said the Minister was veering into dangerous territory with an ill-thought out policy. He said the Government is pursuing a potential future mortgage
14/05/2014
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a £300,000 road improvement scheme for A29 Cookstown Road in Dungannon began this week. The resurfacing scheme involves three separate stretches of carriageway. The longest section from the junction with Agharan Road extends approximately 850metre
14/05/2014
With large crowds expected at the 146th Balmoral Show, 14 – 16 May, Translink is urging visitors to plan their journey in advance and leave extra time to make onward train connections. Special bus, coach and train transport arrangements are in place to help visitors get to and from the show grounds
13/05/2014
Green Party leader and Dublin MEP candidate, Eamon Ryan, has said "we need a wide public debate on our energy future, but the lack of any clear direction or commitment from the government is undermining confidence in the energy transition we know we need to make." Mr Ryan said: "The paper presents
13/05/2014
The Sinn Féin candidate for the Midlands Northwest European constituency, Matt Carthy, has called for the independent expert panel on pylons to listen to the voice of local residents. Speaking following the publication of the Terms of Reference of the review of the Grid West and Grid Link projects,
13/05/2014
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, T.D., has welcomed the publication by Irish Water of its Capital Investment Plan 2014- 2016. Irish Water has announced a total investment package of €1.7billion in water supply and wastewater treatment plants across the s
13/05/2014
Schools across Northern Ireland will benefit from more than £18million investment in the coming months under the Department of Education’s minor works scheme. Speaking about the investment, Education Minister John O'Dowd said: "During February and March this year, a total of 119 minor works project
13/05/2014
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD has attended the contract signing for the remediation of 'Haulbowline Island Bridges', a key infrastructural component of the remediation project for the former steelworks site on Haulbowline Island. The Minister said: "This major cont
13/05/2014
EY Entrepreneur of the Year nominee Michael Stack is pictured in the foreground with his brothers Richard, Con and Robert at a recent event held to mark the rebrand of the company to Tricel. Following on from the rebrand of Killarney Plastics and other companies within the group to Tricel in March
13/05/2014
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Michael Colreavy TD, has said that nuclear power should not be developed in Ireland. Speaking following the publication of the government Green Paper on Energy Policy in Ireland, Deputy Colreavy said: "Sinn Féin, at our most re
13/05/2014
Fianna Fáil has raised concerns about the fact that households that struggle to pay their water bills on time risk having their free water allowance cut off. Irish Water has confirmed that households will only get the free allowance if they 'pay their bills in a timely manner'. According to Fianna
13/05/2014
New York based Marathon Asset Management, who purchased Ireland's tallest building, The Obel, last month, has continued their investment in Northern Ireland by acquiring Cityside and Shane retail parks. The acquisition was handled by property consultants, Savills Northern Ireland. The deal was pro
13/05/2014
Jobs, broadband and fracking were the issues of main concern when SDLP European candidate Alex Attwood canvassed Fermanagh at the weekend. Mr Attwood said: "I was pleased to be back in Fermanagh this weekend and get an opportunity to speak to voters. "A consistent theme from people was that they f
13/05/2014
Minister for Social Development , Nelson McCausland has officially opened the Tullycarnet Enhanced Nurture Unit following a £40,000 upgrade funded by DSD. The upgrade provides state of the art ICT equipment to facilitate children’s improvement with numeracy and literacy skills. Minister McCausland
12/05/2014
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has turned the sod on the €550m, M17/M18 motorway project which will boost the local economy, remove several bottlenecks and create 450 jobs during construction. He was joined by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar. "This sod-turning event is another step in th
12/05/2014
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, has launched the Energy Policy Green Paper for Ireland, marking the beginning of a ten-week public consultation on the future shape of Ireland's energy policy. Ireland faces significant inter-related challenges in relation
12/05/2014
Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP has today described as "inexplicable" plans by Minister Phil Hogan to change how the LEADER programme is managed and delivered in Ireland. Reforms proposed by Minister Phil Hogan known as the Alignment Process will remove from local development companies across Ireland th
12/05/2014
Galway East Deputy Michael Kitt has told the Dáil that a full upgrade of Galway's water services is needed before households that are plagued by chronic water problems are forced to pay hefty charges. Speaking on a Fianna Fáil on water charges in the Dáil last week, Deputy Kitt said it’s unacceptab
12/05/2014
Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland, has announced funding of £309,800 for the construction of new premises for the Dunluce Family Centre Community Organisation based at Shaws Court, in the Outer West Neighbourhood Renewal Area. The community organisation is currently based in a smal
12/05/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning permission for a new purpose built childcare facility for Mencap NI in Newtownbreda. The two storey building, located on School Road, will provide a ground floor nursery plus associated administration and meeting accommodation. Mr Durkan sa
12/05/2014
The Green Party has accused Dublin City Council of allowing inner city dereliction and decay, by neglecting land and buildings that are under its control. Under a request made using the Access to Information on the Environment Regulations, the party’s local election candidate for the North Inner Ci
12/05/2014
SDLP Derry City Councillor Brenda Stevenson says residents in Ardmore are delighted after work has started to tackle flooding problems that have plagued them for years. Cllr Stevenson said for the last four to five years she has been lobbied by residents and campaigned on their behalf to have the i
12/05/2014
Labour TD, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has expressed his disappointment at Daft.ie's decision to continue their usage of a 'rent allowance filter' on their website. Speaking this morning, Ó Ríordáin, who is Vice Chair of the Education & Social Protection Committee, said: "I have written to the Committee Cha
09/05/2014
Ballymun's boiler house, which had been earmarked for demolition as part of the Ballymun Regeneration Project (BRL), is set for a green revamp. This is due to a successful €3.6m application from Dublin City Council and The Rediscovery Centre, Ballymun to the EU's LIFE+ environment fund. The fundi
09/05/2014
Performing the official opening of new teaching and learning facilities at the Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture in the National Botanic Gardens, the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Hayes, TD praised the recent developments at the College which will
09/05/2014
Senator Denis O'Donovan has expressed his concern about road conditions in West Cork. He says tourists could be put off by the state of the roads in the region and is calling for more Government funding to carry out repair work. He said: "We're heading into the busy summer season when thousands
09/05/2014
Belfast City Council has scooped a top waste management award for its kerbside box recycling scheme. The scheme was named Best Local Authority Recycling Initiative, at the Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management 2014, in a year which saw a 44% increase in entries. The awards, which
09/05/2014
Irish Water has welcomed the Government's announcement regarding water charges and allowances. "There is a critical need to invest in Ireland's water infrastructure to bring it up to the standards needed for a modern country. Water charges provide an essential part of the investment required," the
09/05/2014
The Terms of Reference of the Independent review of overhead power lines and pylons has been described as inadequate by Fianna Fáil. "Today’s announcement by the Independent Expert Panel of its Terms of Reference for reviewing EirGrid’s proposed overhead power lines and pylons is entirely inadequat
09/05/2014
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) has been shortlisted for a prestigious NI Impact Award from Business in the Community. Shortlisted for the Community Impact Award category sponsored by firmus energy, NIE has demonstrated a positive impact on communities by addressing local issues and investing pe
09/05/2014
Employees at SSE Airtricity's Great Victoria Street office are gearing up to welcome the Giro d'Italia as it passes by the central Belfast office today. More than 200 elite riders will whizz down Great Victoria Street, followed by an entourage of support vehicles, promotional floats and media, as
09/05/2014
MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher has welcomed the official announcement by the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation (KFO) that they in conjunction with Norwegian firm Biomarine Science Technology have agreed to develop a new facility in Killybegs. The proposed facility will have the capacity to process 50,
09/05/2014
A toddler has died in a farm accident in Cork. The accident occurred near the village of Killeagh in east Cork around 12 in the afternoon. It is believed the 18-month-old was struck by a tractor. The boy's death is being treated as a tragic accident. His body has been taken to Cork University Ho
08/05/2014
Sinn Féin Louth TD Gerry Adams has questioned the Taoiseach in the Dáil on the future of the Narrow Water Bridge project and the government's position to it. Mr Adams welcomed the Taoiseach's expression of support and the fact that it will be on the agenda for discussion at the June meeting of the
08/05/2014
EirGrid has welcomed the statement by the Independent Expert Panel appointed by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, TD, that it has finalised the terms of reference for route-specific studies/reports in relation to fully undergrounded and overhead options for
08/05/2014
Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor Críona Ní Dhálaigh has described the capital programme for housing in Dublin City just published by the City Manager as "pathetic". She said the plan exposes the failure of the Housing Minister Jan O'Sullivan and the Government to fund local authorities, especially
08/05/2014
NI Water has started pipelaying work in Ballymartin during the week as part of a £600,000 investment that will deliver a new sewerage infrastructure for the Ballymartin area. The work will involve the installation of a pumping main to link the new wastewater pumping station, which is being construc
08/05/2014
Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on the Environment Brian Stanley TD has claimed that Minister Phil Hogan's admission that people might pay up to €500 in water charges makes a mockery of the €240 average charge per household announced by the Government. He also said that the average charge itself will be f
08/05/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a £288,000 road improvement scheme for Bloomfield Road in Belfast is scheduled to begin on Monday 12 May 2014. The resurfacing scheme, between Grand Parade and Beersbridge Road is expected to be complete in early July 2014. Mr Kennedy
08/05/2014
Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry and Health, Social Services and Public Safety Minister Edwin Poots have highlighted the role of social clause contracts in moving people into employment. The Ministers were speaking after meeting two local unemployed women who both gained employment
08/05/2014
Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has cut the first sod at the site of the new Dromore Central Primary School. The Department of Education has invested over £16million to bring the new school building to fruition. Speaking at the Mossvale Road site, the Minister said: "I am delighted to be here to
08/05/2014
Green Party leader and MEP candidate for Dublin, Eamon Ryan, has called on Dublin City Council to abandon plans to build an incinerator at Poolbeg. Mr Ryan said: "The longer this project continues the more we learn about how misconceived and badly managed it has been. Despite the European Commissio
08/05/2014
A local Further and Higher Education College has become the first college in Northern Ireland to become a hub in the prestigious National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies, the UK's largest network of accredited training providers delivering skills in low carbon and energy efficiency. A
07/05/2014
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, TD, has confirmed that the Government has agreed that Irish Water's subvention in 2015 and 2016 will be conditional on the average domestic water charge per household not exceeding €240 per year, subject to final assessment of
07/05/2014
Labour TD, Jack Wall, has welcomed the Independent Expert Panel's initial report in relation to the Eirgrid projects. Mr Wall said: "The detail announced today is very welcome in relation to the concerns that so many communities around the country have about these projects. "I note in particular t
07/05/2014
Labour TD Kevin Humphreys is calling for the Poolbeg Incinerator contract to be scrapped despite the EU ruling. Mr Humphreys said: "Despite the decision of the EU Commission that the Poolbeg Incinerator project did not breach State aid rules today, it should still be scrapped as it is a major waste
07/05/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has welcomed the news that work has been completed on two community projects in the Callan Street area, Armagh. The Callan Street Community House refurbishment and the 'Lump' environmental improvements scheme, have been completed at a cost of over £135,
07/05/2014
Minister James Reilly TD has performed the official opening of the refurbished Loughloe House Day Resource Centre, Athlone which is providing rehabilitative day services for people with disability and mental health difficulties. Officially opening the upgraded premises, Minister James Reilly TD sai
07/05/2014
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has asked for the construction of a cross-border bridge at Narrow Water to be on the agenda at the next meeting of the North South Ministerial Council. Taoiseach Enda Kenny recently said the project, which was stalled last year, should be revisited. The deput
07/05/2014
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has launched a new learning resource for primary school pupils to help them appreciate historic buildings. Designed by the DOE, pupils will undertake a series of activities which teach them elements of architecture, starting with their own school buildings. Pupi
07/05/2014
Fine Gael TD for Meath East Regina Doherty, has welcomed news from the National Roads Authority (NRA) that maintenance works are set to take place on the Rath Cross Roundabout and the Nine Mile Stone Roundabout, on either side of Ashbourne. She said: "Ashbourne is the second largest town in Co. Mea
07/05/2014
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £330,000 resurfacing scheme on Saintfield Road, Castlereagh. The work is due to begin on 19 May 2014 between Woodbreda Park and Beechhill Road. The Minister said: "This scheme will increase the lifespan of the road, greatly i
07/05/2014
A new website has been launched which makes it simpler for Northern Ireland householders to save money on electricity bills. The website, enirgy.info, has been launched by veteran business journalist Jamie Delargy. It identifies the cheapest tariffs offered by the four companies competing in Northe
06/05/2014
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, has announced that 86 housing developments across the country will benefit from the €10m Special Resolution Fund announced in Budget 2014. Announcing the funding while visiting the Fionn Uisce development in Galway City, Minister O'Sullivan sai
06/05/2014
SDLP Mid Ulster candidate Maria Cleary-McGuffin has called on the social development minister to reveal the outcome of an enquiry into alleged overpayment to local construction firms by the Housing Executive. Ms Cleary-McGuffin, who is running in the Cookstown DEA, said it is "about time" Nelson Mc
06/05/2014
Fianna Fáil has welcomed indications that the Government may finally break its silence on the level of water charges facing households across the country. The u-turn comes ahead of a Fianna Fáil private members motion in the Dáil this week calling on Fine Gael and Labour to end the secrecy over wat
06/05/2014
Fianna Fáil Cork North Central TD Billy Kelleher says a new approach needs to be taken to tackle the housing crisis in Cork and across the country. Last month Deputy Kelleher highlighted the fact that almost 8,000 people are on waiting lists for a home in Cork city alone. Speaking during a Dáil d
06/05/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced an investment of £210,000 to upgrade footways and carriageways at Lone Moor Road and Stanley's Walk in the Brandywell area of L'Derry. Announcing the funding Minister McCausland said: "This investment of £210,000, by the Northern Ireland E
06/05/2014
First Minister, the Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MLA, and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA, have formally opened the redeveloped Ravenhill rugby ground, ahead of the Ulster v Leinster match. The Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union received £16.4m from the Northern Ireland Executi
06/05/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has welcomed statistics recently published which confirm that nearly 5,000 residential property sales were completed in the last three months of 2013. The Northern Ireland Housing Bulletin for October to December 2013, has verified that 4,827 house sale
06/05/2014
Fianna Fáil Education Spokesperson Charlie McConalogue has called on the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn to make a firm commitment to permanently reinstating the Summer Works Scheme and Minor Works Grant for schools. Deputy McConalogue has welcomed publication of a list of schools that will ben
06/05/2014
Speaking in Ringsend, MEP Emer Costello said that the proposals of the Programme for Government should be strictly adhered to in the provision of treated water for householders. She said: "There should be a generous free allowance for every householder as committed to in the Programme for Governmen
06/05/2014
Green-fingered enthusiasts and budding gardeners will already know the benefits of composting at home, and during Compost Awareness Week (5-11 May), Belfast City Council is helping to spread the message. Since the council extended its food waste collection service, it has redirected an additional 1
02/05/2014
The Green Party has today welcomed the approval by An Bord Pleanala for a Special Development Zone (SDZ) for Cherrywood, Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown. The plan has been five years in the making, has been with An Bord Pleanala for the last 15 months, and a final decision for the go-ahead was given yest
02/05/2014
Fine Gael MEP Candidate for Ireland South, Senator Deirdre Clune, has outlined the necessity of using the hard lessons learned during the collapse of the Celtic Tiger to support those in construction who are essential to the development of Cork. Senator Clune said: "In 2007 35,000 people were emplo
02/05/2014
Following a visit to Durrow High Cross, near Tullamore, County Offaly, Fianna Fáil MEP candidate for Midlands North West, Senator Thomas Byrne, has called on the tourism authorities in Scotland and Ireland to cooperate in the creation of a 'Colmcille Heritage Trail'. Durrow is one of the most impor
02/05/2014
ESB and Osaka Gas UK Ltd have completed the sale of Bizkaia Energia SL (BESL) to an affiliate of ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC, a US based energy investment firm. BESL is the owner of Amorebieta Power Station, a 755MW combined cycle gas turbine power plant in northern Spain. ESB and Osaka Gas UK L
02/05/2014
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced an investment of £210,000 to upgrade footways and carriageways at Lone Moor Road and Stanley's Walk in the Brandywell area of L'Derry. Announcing the funding, Minister McCausland said: "This investment of £210,000, by the Northern Ireland
02/05/2014
Northern Ireland's first public bike share scheme is due to be in place next Spring, following the appointment of NSL as operators. Belfast City Council appointed NSL, whose consultancy arm, Project Centre, worked on the London Bike Hire scheme. NSL is set to deliver and maintain the scheme, with N
02/05/2014
Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD has said that cabinet discussions about the proposed water tax have nothing to do with conservation, clean water, or saving taxpayers money but was all about cobbling together a pre-election stunt. Speaking to the Taoiseach in the Dáil during Leaders' Questions, Gerr
02/05/2014
Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has told the government that Ireland has a housing crisis that will not go away without significant investment in social housing. He was speaking on a Sinn Féin amendment to a Technical Group motion dealing with housing. Touching on a number of issue
01/05/2014
Public Transport Minister, Alan Kelly, has announced a major €16.8 million redevelopment of Colbert bus and train station in Limerick. The plans, prepared by Iarnród Éireann in collaboration with Bus Éireann, Limerick City & County Council and the National Transport Authority, will see a major prog
01/05/2014
EirGrid has announced, at the launch of its 2013 Annual Results, that wholesale electricity prices in the Single Electricity Market on the island of Ireland are lower by 9 per cent since the EirGrid East West Interconnector (EWIC) commenced full commercial operations. EWIC links power markets in Ir
01/05/2014
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Arts, Sport and Tourism, Sandra McLellan TD has condemned the decision of Minister Jimmy Deenihan to give the go ahead to Chartered Land's proposal to develop a giant shopping centre in the historical area of Moore Street and its surrounding lanes. Deputy McLellan has said
01/05/2014
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., is opening the Hardiman Research Building and a new Psychology Building in NUI Galway on an official visit to the county today. The two buildings cost in the region of €18 million in total and are a welcome addition to the campus. The Hard
01/05/2014
Today at Cabinet, the Government approved the publication of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014. The legislation will give effect to three important elements of the Government's housing policy: • Provide a legislative basis for the new Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) • Introduce a
01/05/2014
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has announced details of a €4m dredging project at Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre at the official opening of a €450,000 renovation of the Marine Leisure Area at the western end of the harbour. The Minister said: "I am delighted t
