Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for November 2013
29/11/2013
Labour TD for Galway-West, Derek Nolan has said that a recent report showing house prices in Dublin jumping €100,000 in just 7 days is a clear indication that a meaningful policy on housing prices is needed. Mr Nolan said: "Recent figures from the CSO showed that house prices across the country are
29/11/2013
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, has published the second annual progress report on tackling the issue of unfinished housing developments which points to "even more progress in bringing to a conclusion this most distressing of circumstances left over from the doomed tiger years
29/11/2013
Mivan and Lagan Group, two of NI's biggest construction companies, are believed to be in discussions of a merger. It is understood that directors of the two companies are currently hold talks and that they believe the two companies are keen to expand and become a larger organisation. In January th
29/11/2013
Northern Ireland off-site building specialist McAvoy Group has delivered more than £5m of new schools in England, providing additional places for 1,020 pupils due to an increased demand for fast-track accommodation. The Co Tyrone-based company, which specialises in modern methods of construction, c
29/11/2013
Foyle SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey has welcomed recommended planning approval for a regeneration project at Rossdowney Road in the Waterside, which he believes has the potential to inject a serious economic boost to the area. Speaking after the recommended approval given by SDLP Environment Minister Mark H
29/11/2013
Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath has described the latest mortgage arrears statistics as very disappointing. The figures show a continuing rise in the number of residential mortgages in arrears of greater than 90 days and a sharp rise in arrears amongst buy-to-let properties. The n
29/11/2013
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis has rubbished claims by the Minister for Housing that rising homelessness will be dealt with through NAMA housing. He made his comment following a claim by the Minister in response to a report showing huge increases in homelessness under her government t
29/11/2013
A resurfacing scheme is due to commence on Dee Street, Belfast next week, from Monday 2 December 2013. The £135,000 scheme between Dee Street Bridge and Newtownards Road is being undertaken to improve the quality of the carriageway on this busy route and is expected to take 10 weeks to complete.
28/11/2013
Labour MEP for Dublin, Emer Costello, said that she is dismayed by an impending decision by Dublin City Council to scrap the Local Area Plan (LAP) for Phibsborough. The LAP for Phibsborough was adopted by Dublin City Council in 2008 following widespread consultation with community and business stak
28/11/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially opened a new £1.3million new build, supported housing scheme for adults with learning disabilities at Adelaide Avenue, Coleraine. The new homes comprising 10 x 1 bedroom self-contained apartments and 2 x 2 bedroom shared apartments, inclu
28/11/2013
Sinn Féin Senator David Cullinane has said that EirGrid needs to "end the spin" in relation to their position on undergrounding and be clear with people as to their intentions regarding the GridLink project. Senator Cullinane made the comments from Leinster House following a meeting with EirGrid ex
28/11/2013
It will take at least two to three years for the construction industry to meet the demand for housing that is developing in the Dublin market, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The CIF were commenting after the CSO reported another increase in house prices in Dublin. Acco
28/11/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has recommended planning approval for a new mixed use re-development scheme on lands at Rossdowney Road, Waterside, L'Derry. The plans for lands, currently occupied by Niche Drinks, include a new food superstore with ancillary non-food, business innovation centre
28/11/2013
Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha has welcomed the decision of An Bórd Pleanala to refuse permission for the siting at the Garden of Remembrance of a memorial to victims of institutional abuse. Councillor Mac Donncha, who is a member of the City Council's Commemorations Committe
28/11/2013
Senator Marie Maloney has announced that the property tax deadline has been extended to 5pm tomorrow (Friday 29 November), with helplines remaining open until 8pm tonight and tomorrow. She said: "I have been inundated with calls from frustrated homeowners trying to get clarification on various quer
28/11/2013
Fine Gael Dublin South Central Deputy, Catherine Byrne, has said this Government's willingness to deal with homelessness is supported by a budget of €45m for 2013 and a firm commitment to end long-term homelessness by 2016. Deputy Byrne went on to say that Sinn Féin's presentation of the facts does
27/11/2013
Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, has confirmed to Bord Gáis that none of the final bids received for its energy business were at an acceptable value. The Minister noted that the sale process attracted significant interest from a broad range of potential inter
27/11/2013
Airtricity has announced a new Rewards partnership with Applegreen, Ireland's largest independent forecourt retailer with more than 77 sites trading nationwide. Airtricity has teamed up with Applegreen to launch this limited time offer that gives Airtricity customers an exclusive opportunity to us
27/11/2013
Minister of State Brian Hayes' decision to allow private commercial franchises or enterprises to tender for space in some of the State's iconic publicly owned properties has been criticised by the Green Party today. The Party asserts that no consultation has taken place with the public, who have a
27/11/2013
Meath Sinn Fein Cllr Joe Reilly has responded to the decision taken by the Meath County Council Fire Office to have 10 apartments evacuated on the top floor of Kentswood Court complex in Johnstown Navan. Councillor Reilly said: "The decision by the County Fire Officer to instruct the closure of 10
27/11/2013
The Department of Environment (DOE) has served an Urgent Works Notice on the owners of the 1A Academy Road. The two-storey corner Victorian House had been subject to fire on 5 September 2013. Substantial portions of the roof structure were lost in the fire and the building has been left open to the
27/11/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has opened the annual Fuel Poverty Coalition conference at the Park Avenue Hotel, Belfast. Addressing delegates Minister McCausland said: "Fuel poverty is a very real issue for many people in Northern Ireland, with more than 33,000 households spending a
27/11/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has set out Roads Service's progress on investment totalling £3.1m for road improvement and maintenance schemes in the Newtownabbey area this year. The Minister said: "A wide range of road improvement and maintenance schemes is planned or already complete in the New
27/11/2013
Two owners of CM Recycling were convicted on five charges of waste offences and were given absolute discharges on all charges at Ballymena Magistrates' Court. The owners, Paul McKee (42) of Island Road, Randalstown and William Curry (35) of Craigstown Road, Ballymena, both pleaded guilty to five ch
26/11/2013
Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte, has welcomed the decision by Eirgrid, in response to the request of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, to extend the period of public consultation for the Gridlink Project beyond 26th November. Minister Rabitte said: "People and Community Groups will now have until J
26/11/2013
Green Party representative and Local Election candidate in Pembroke-South Dock, Charlie Ridgway, has responded to the recent decision by Dublin City Council to cancel the illegal consultants contract, on which more than €32m has already been spent. He said: "Labour and Fine Gael Councillors control
26/11/2013
A new national groundwater vulnerability map, to help protect vital water supplies, has been produced as part of the most comprehensive groundwater mapping project undertaken in the country to date, Minister Fergus O'Dowd has announced. Significant findings from the Geological Survey of Ireland's (
26/11/2013
Fianna Fáil Town Councillor for Bandon, Gillian Coughlan, has called on the Government to reassure the people of Bandon that the funding promises they made in 2011 and 2012 will be kept. Cork County Council officials revealed to Town Councillors this week that the Bandon scheme, which was aborted e
26/11/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £250,000 major resurfacing scheme on Blaney Road, Newtownhamilton next week. Preparatory works began on the 25 November in the vicinity of Tullygleasy Road. The Minister said: "The scheme will improve the quality of the road
26/11/2013
Fantech Ventilation, manufacturer and supplier of ventilation equipment throughout Ireland, has supplied a number of air handling units for use in the recently refurbished Biotech Building of Trinity College Dublin. The company - part of the €100m Elta Group of manufacturing businesses - supplied
26/11/2013
Sinn Féin economy Spokesperson, Daithí McKay has called on Finance Minister, Simon Hamilton to take steps to ensure that the North does not lose out financially in the event that the massive HS2 super rail project linking London and Birmingham receives parliamentary approval in Westminster. Mr McKa
26/11/2013
Wilsons Auctions have received instructions from a Natural Stone Producer to sell a very large consignment of natural stone products as well as machinery and tools.
25/11/2013
Wind power output in Ireland reached record levels today according to the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA). A new record of 1,564 megawatts (MW), enough to power over one million Irish homes, was recorded at 8am on Wednesday 20th November as families across the country sat down to breakfast.
25/11/2013
Energy savings of €750 million have been made by the 600 organisations that have participated in the Sustainable Energy Awards over the last decade. "These organisations have made massive savings. Given that between them they employ 400,000 people, it is impossible to underestimate the importanc
25/11/2013
Siptu has called on Irish construction workers who may have been included on a 'blacklist' utilised by leading British building firms from the late 1960s until 2009, to contact the GMB trade union so they can been assisted in seeking compensation. Following pressure from trade unions, a Constructio
25/11/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan today welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) tender for a two-year research programme into fracking. The programme will further the understanding of the potential impacts on the environment and human health from fracking projects/operations (includin
25/11/2013
The Board of the Housing Executive has released an external independent review into the management of the organisation's planned maintenance contracts after an internal investigation indicated there had been up to £18m of overpayments to contractors. Campbell Tickell, an independent consultant, was
25/11/2013
Brian Hayes, TD Minister of State, with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works, has invited proposals from companies to provide enhanced visitor experiences at OPW sites. The OPW manages many important historic properties such as Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park, Derrynane House, Emo Cou
25/11/2013
Very high levels of air pollution, particulate matter, are currently being monitored in the L'Derry area. The air quality forecast indicates that high levels of air pollution are a possibility across Northern Ireland until Friday. These pollution levels are the result of the cold, calm weather con
25/11/2013
North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness has voiced his support for Northern Ireland's first ever Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month which aims to help protect the public from the dangers of carbon monoxide. The initiative, which was developed by the Carbon Monoxide Safety Group, is steered by the Health and
22/11/2013
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has nvited tenders for a two-year research programme to further the understanding of the potential impacts on the environment and human health from Unconventional Gas Exploration & Extraction (fracking) projects and operations, including construction, operat
22/11/2013
Mivan, based in Antrim, Northern Ireland, has been named as one of the UK businesses behind the development of Heathrow's brand new Terminal 2. In a new report, the company is revealed to have successfully completed a prestigious £5.7million contract to help build the UK's newest airport terminal,
22/11/2013
Fine Gael Meath West TD, Damien English, has welcomed the announcement that the Government has agreed terms of new leases with the owners of Tara Mines, which will allow for a major underground extension of the mine and the continuation of mining for another ten years. Mr English said: "This is a h
22/11/2013
Fine Gael Meath East TD, Regina Doherty, has welcomed confirmation that the Government is preparing legislation to replace the Tenant Purchase Scheme, which expired at the end of last year. The Minister for Housing, Jan O'Sullivan TD, has confirmed that the provisions of a new Housing Bill will en
22/11/2013
The Dáil is to have a debate today aimed at revitalising struggling town centres across the country. The Bill establishes a Town Team in each local authority to implement a town revitalisation plan. It's part of a wider Fianna Fáil policy strategy published in May, which sets out a bold new vision
22/11/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning approval for a combined heat and power engine unit in Newtownabbey. The 500kw biogas powered unit will have the capacity to produce 500kw of electricity which is the equivalent electricity supply for 300 homes. The unit will be located at Bo
22/11/2013
The all-Ireland Good Friday Agreement Implementation Committee at the Oireachtas, which includes representatives from the north, has written to the Special European Union Programmes Bodies (SEUPB) seeking an extension on its letter of offer on Narrow Water Bridge. Mr Adams said: "The Good Friday Ag
22/11/2013
ESB has announced that it has completed the sale of its 50% shareholding in Marchwood Power Limited (MPL) to Munich Re, a major European insurance company based in Germany. MPL, which ESB jointly owned with SSE, owns and operates one of the most efficient combined cycle gas turbine power plants in
22/11/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out Roads Service's progress on investment totalling £3.1m for road improvement and maintenance schemes in the Castlereagh area this year. The Minister said: "A wide range of road improvement and maintenance schemes is planned or already complete
22/11/2013
Alliance Social Development spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said that evidence is growing against the Social Development Minister over the change made to a letter to the Social Development Committee to make it appear that the Minister had met the Glass and Glazing Federation instead of Turkingt
21/11/2013
Ann Phelan TD, has welcomed the report issued by the environment committee on the draft heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill which will play a pivotal role in tackling the on-going issue of climate change and provide a legislative framework for this country. She said: "As in
21/11/2013
Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has opened the newly refurbished Clerys Department Store on Dublin's O'Connell Street. Minister Deenihan also presented the store with a copy of files from the National Archives of Ireland which document the claim made by the company
21/11/2013
Speaking in relation to the entitlement of many Donegal people to claim the British Winter Fuel Payment, Sinn Féin TD for Donegal South West Pearse Doherty said last year his office assisted hundreds of people to successfully claim an entitlement. Mr Doherty said: "I have been in touch with the Int
21/11/2013
Labour Senator Lorraine Higgins has pressed the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to clear up any uncertainty in the Local Government Bill, whereby rates may be charged on commercial properties which are closed down and no longer trading. Speaking in the Seanad Senator Hi
21/11/2013
Health Minister, Edwin Poots today visited Daisy Hill Hospital to see the new theatre accommodation being developed at the hospital. The work includes two new operating theatres, a new recovery area and a new endoscope decontamination unit. This will increase the capacity for theatre sessions in Da
21/11/2013
Limerick County Council has been named one of the primary winners at the 2013 Chambers Ireland Excellence in Local Government Awards, held in association with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. The Local Authority beat off competition from 33 other Local Authority areas
21/11/2013
26 year old Bangor man Robert Bell proves how the Steps to Work programme could provide your route to employment having landed his dream job at one of Northern Ireland’s leading renewable energy companies, thanks to the initiative. Robert, who successfully completed the programme last month throug
21/11/2013
Phoenix Natural Gas was one of the big winners at this year's annual Chartered Institute of Marketing Ireland Awards dinner. The event was held at the Ramada hotel in Belfast this month. Phoenix picked up the overall local award for best marketing and sales campaign 2013. This was in recognition
21/11/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a road widening and realignment scheme on the B90 Browns Bay Road, which is due to begin early next week. Work will involve the realignment of the existing B90 Brown's Bay Road to improve sight lines at its junction with Ballyto
21/11/2013
SDLP MP for South Down, Margaret Ritchie has said serious questions need to be asked as to why it was decided to pull funding commitment for the Narrow Water Bridge in advance of a formal decision by the Irish Government and the NI Executive on providing additional funding. Speaking after receiving
20/11/2013
The deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, MLA, has opened a £125million wind farm, Slieve Kirk Wind Park, near Limavady. SSE Renewable's Slieve Kirk Wind Park is expected to produce enough green energy to power over 65,000 homes here. Slieve Kirk Wind Park is the development of the original 27M
20/11/2013
Michael McCarthy TD, Chair of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, has launched a Report on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2013 which sets out a number of possible courses of action that will be key in future deliberations of the Bill. Mr McCarth
20/11/2013
Sinn Féin's European Election candidate for Ireland-South Liadh Ní Riada has called on the government to ensure that powerlines, to be built as part of the EirGrid pylon network, are undergrounded. Ms Ní Riada said: "We have been made aware that one of the options for connecting Great Island to Dun
20/11/2013
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has welcomed the news that the €57m allocated by Government to Better Energy means that Better Energy Homes will remain open for grant applications through 2014. SEAI also believes that the new Home Renovation Incentive will make home energy retr
20/11/2013
Labour TD Eamon Maloney has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, that there is to be an increase in grant funding of €126,000 under the 2013 Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund. Mr Maloney said: "The 2013 Environmental
20/11/2013
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, has stated that bringing forward a tenant deposit protection scheme would be a priority for 2014. Speaking at the launch of Threshold's annual report the Minister said: "I am currently bringing residential tenancies legislation through the Oire
20/11/2013
Northern Ireland's property market is starting to show signs of recovery, according to the Northern Ireland Residential Property Price Index (NI RPPI) is produced by Land & Property Services (LPS) in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency and is published on a quarterly b
20/11/2013
Dublin City Council's Finance Committee will this week consider Fianna Fáil proposals on tackling illegal dumping, littering and illegal signs. Councillor Paul McAuliffe has persuaded the City Manager to examine if an increase in the number of 'authorised officers' might help to reduce breaches of
20/11/2013
Alliance Social Development spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has asked the Social Development Minister whether he ordered a letter to the Social Development Committee to be changed to make it appear that he had met the Glass and Glazing Federation instead of Turkington Holdings in relation to his de
20/11/2013
Sinn Fein Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has called on the government to fast track reform which would help to protect private rental tenants. He made his comments following the release of a report from housing charity Threshold which found many tenants living in very poor conditions and oth
19/11/2013
Hybrid Energy Solutions Ltd (HES), the Irish based energy provider, announced details of its DC Hybrid Energy Station deal with Airtel in Nigeria. The announcement was made during the recent Enterprise Ireland trade mission to South Africa and Nigeria led by Minister for Trade and Development, Mr.
19/11/2013
Fianna Fáil Local Area Representative for the Greater Glanmire Area, Pádraig O'Sullivan, has called on Cork County Council to urgently address the terrible conditions of rural roads in the Knockraha area. Mr O'Sullivan said: "I was taken on a tour of the roads in the area surrounding Knockraha vill
19/11/2013
ESB workers voted by a majority of 87.5% to 12.5% to take industrial action in a dispute arising from a €1.6 billion deficit in the pension scheme at the semi-state company. The ballot of members of the ESB Group of Unions was counted on Monday 18th November. Among the approximately 200 SIPTU memb
19/11/2013
Labour Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte, has launched a public consultation to invite views on reducing carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2050. Emissions from electricity generation amount to nearly 21% of Ireland's total national emissions, or
19/11/2013
Alliance Down Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed news that the parish priest of Maghera (Newcastle) has indicated that the Catholic Church will agree to honour the sale of the former St Mary's school land to Down District Council. There was a concern that the sale may fall through after the es
19/11/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has announced his decision to proceed with the £65m A26 dualling Glarryford to Drones Road scheme. Having considered the Inspector's Report into the public inquiries on the A26 scheme, the Minister has tasked Roads Service to progress the project, taking into accoun
19/11/2013
The Sinn Féin EU candidate for the Midlands North West constituency, Matt Carthy, is to host an information night in Drogheda on the issue of mortgage debt and distress. The event will be held on Thursday 28th November at 8pm in the Boyne Valley Hotel, Drogheda. Announcing the event Councillor Car
19/11/2013
Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick, has described Fianna Fáíl Leader, Michéal Martin, as "having some nerve for blaming this Government for the withdrawal of funding by the EU for the Narrow Water Bridge project". Mr Fitzpatrick said: "This Government has actively engaged with the Northern I
19/11/2013
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has set out a Roads Service's progress on investment totalling £3.4m for road improvement and maintenance schemes in the Ballymoney area this year. The Minister said: "A wide range of road improvement and maintenance schemes are planned or have already been complete
19/11/2013
Jan O'Sullivan, TD, Minister for Planning, will be in Clare later this week to launch a major strategic plan for the future development and management of marine-related industry and tourism along Ireland's largest estuary, the Shannon Estuary. The launch of the Strategic Integrated Framework Plan (
18/11/2013
Sinn Féin MLA Caitríona Ruane said that while she is disappointed at the withdrawal of offer from the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) for the Narrow Water Bridge she believes that the project can still go ahead in the near future. Ms Ruane said: "I am obviously disappointed that SEUPB have withd
18/11/2013
Eurolink, operators of the M3 and M4 motorways, has chosen leading independent energy provider Energia as its energy supplier in a new 3 Gigawatt (3 Gwhrs ) deal. Eurolink M3 and M4 are the two Public Private Partnership Companies responsible for the build and operation of two motorways within Irel
18/11/2013
Mr Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has announced the recipients of grant funding under the 2013 Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund. The projects are being co-funded by the Department and Local Authorities. €400,000 is being provided by th
18/11/2013
Dublin City Council was named City County Council of the year at the 10th Annual Excellence in Local Government Awards event held in association with the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Dublin City Council was delighted to win Awards for the Fairview Park Improvement Proj
18/11/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kenned has announced the start of a £125,000 major resurfacing scheme next week on the B122 Tattyreagh Road, on the main link between Fintona and Omagh. Asphalt resurfacing work will commence on Monday 25th November 2013 from its junction with the Seskinore Road
18/11/2013
Alliance East Antrim MLA, Stewart Dickson, and Carrickfergus Councillor, Gavin Norris, have welcomed improvements made to Carrickfergus Waste Water Treatment Works. Leylandii hedging has been planted at the facility and last week, Northern Ireland Water installed covers on the waste water tanks. M
15/11/2013
Minister for Research and Innovation Seán Sherlock, T.D. has officially launched the Marine Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI) SFI Research Centre at University College Cork (UCC). The Centre will receive funding of €19million from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through Science Fou
15/11/2013
Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster has announced a £1.3million investment by Ballygawley-based Coote Engineering, which will create 17 new skilled jobs. Coote Engineering specialises in the design and manufacture of machinery and moulds for the pre-cast concrete industry. Inves
15/11/2013
Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello T.D. has officially opened Chevron Training & Recruitment's inaugural Training Centre in Lagos. Based in Wexford, Chevron Training & Recruitment specialise in the provision of construction skills training to international learners. Ireland is renown
15/11/2013
Sinn Féin's Environment spokesperson, Brian Stanley TD, has claimed that the government's water reforms are in chaos. Mr Stanley said: "On the 1st of January next all water infrastructure is set to transfer to Usice Eireann. This is a massive transfer of property including treatment plants, water i
15/11/2013
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has confirmed the selection of Springfarm in Antrim for a pilot set up to find a solution to insulation issues in 'No Fines' housing. 'No Fines' properties are older houses built with single skinned pre-cast concrete walls, without a cavity. The Minister made his
15/11/2013
The Sinn Féin EU candidate for the Midlands North West constituency, Matt Carthy, has hit out at Minister Pat Rabbitte for trying to dismiss community concerns on pylons as "not well founded". Mr Carthy made his remarks in response to a statement issued by the Minister earlier this week. Councillo
15/11/2013
Mr Phil Hogan TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has announced the recipients of grant funding under the 2013 Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund. The projects are being co-funded by the Department and Local Authorities; €400,000 is being provided by the De
15/11/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced that a £280,000 improvement scheme is set to start on Monday 18 November on the B161 Mullanahoe Road in Ardboe near Cookstown. The Minister said: "This significant investment will greatly improve the strength and surface quality of this busy
14/11/2013
Alliance East Belfast MLA Judith Cochrane has welcomed news that Harland and Wolff (H&W) have been awarded a contract to refurbish an offshore drilling rig. H&W will be hiring 600 temporary workers for the duration of the work. The 360 ft tall Blackford Dolphin offshore drilling rig is currently t
14/11/2013
EirGrid's East West Interconnector project has been chosen as the winner of Engineering Project of the Year in the Engineers Ireland Excellence Awards. The East West Interconnector runs between Deeside in north Wales and Woodland, County Meath. Approximately 260km in length, the link has the capaci
14/11/2013
Dresser-Rand Group and Gaelectric have jointly announced that they have entered into a strategic alliance to develop Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) projects in Europe. Under the Strategic Alliance agreement, Gaelectric and Dresser-Rand will collaborate on the design, development, engineering
14/11/2013
Fianna Fáil’s Seanad Spokesperson on Health Senator Marc Mac Sharry has described the opening of a new Neurological Institute in Sligo as 'a major development in healthcare in the North West'. Senator Mac Sharry, who assisted in making the project a reality over the past two years, welcomed the new
14/11/2013
Cook Medical has officially opened its new state-of-the-art research and development (R&D) Innovation Centre at its plant in Limerick, Ireland. The Innovation Centre together, with the expansion of cleanrooms, packaging, storage and other facilities, represents an investment of €10m by Cook Medical
14/11/2013
Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann said an urgent review needs to take place into additional charges being levied by housing associations. The Sinn Féin housing spokesperson was speaking in light of media revelations that an elderly man, without electric or gas, was charged over £500 for a damaged door when
14/11/2013
Fianna Fáil has raised concerns about the appointment of John O'Connor, the former Chairman of An Bord Pleanála, as Chairman of Eirgrid. Reacting to the announcement by Minister Pat Rabbitte, Fianna Fáil Senator Thomas Byrne said: "We need a guarantee that this will not pose any conflict of interes
14/11/2013
Alliance Environment spokesperson Anna Lo MLA has expressed her disappointment that Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced that he is shelving plans to introduce legislation to establish a National Park in Northern Ireland. Anna Lo MLA said: "I am very disappointed that the Environment M
14/11/2013
Sinn Féin's Environment Spokesperson Deputy Brian Stanley has requested that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment invite the Dublin City Manager, Owen Keegan, to the next available committee meeting in order to discuss the proposed Poolbeg Incinerator. Deputy Stanley stated: "I have writte
14/11/2013
The Ardavon Park complex in North Belfast was awarded the Ellen McGowan trophy for best kept Housing Executive area at this year's Northern Ireland Amenity Council's Best Kept Towns, Villages and Housing Area Awards. The complex was built in 1975 and is located just off the Somerton Road in North B
13/11/2013
Sinn Féin MLA Caitriona Ruane has called on the Taoiseach to commit funds to the Narrow Water Bridge Project. Ms Ruane said: "This project has the potential to be an economic catalyst for the entire South Down and North Louth region. We need to secure this extra funding to see it over the finish li
13/11/2013
Irish Handmade Glass located in Waterford City has signed a gas supply deal with leading independent energy provider Energia. The deal which is worth approximately €40k will see Energia supply over 3.5 gigawatt hours of gas to the Irish Handmade Glass factory in Waterford City. Irish Handmade Glass
13/11/2013
Louth County Council have commenced construction works on a new 2.5km off road cycle and walkway between Omeath Village and Greer's Quay in north County Louth. This has been facilitated by the landowners along the route who have generously given permissive access to their lands. These works are t
13/11/2013
Fine Gael Roscommon/South Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, has said that plans for an eight-bed Palliative Care Centre at Roscommon County Hospital are well on track following total funding approval of €14m by Mayo/Roscommon Hospice for this development and a similar project in Mayo. Mr Feighan said: "La
13/11/2013
Fianna Fáil has slammed what it has described as 'fake outrage' by Labour Councillors in Dublin over a major u-turn on the property tax. The Government had announced that 80% of the tax would be spent by local councils on local services next year. However, the Government now says it will keep con
13/11/2013
Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte TD, has announced that Mr John O'Connor, has agreed to accept the role of Chairman of Eirgrid. Minister Rabbitte said: "The Government agreed to appoint Mr O'Connor, the former Chairman of an Bord Pleanala to chair the Board of Eirgrid, Ireland's electricit
13/11/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced DOE Planning approval for a 2,700 square metre storage and distribution unit in Newtownabbey. The proposal is for a £2.5m storage/distribution warehouse with office space and car parking at Sandyknowes Business Park on the Antrim Road which makes it
13/11/2013
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry, Tom Hayes TD, has announced the immediate availability of financial approvals for forestry planting. Minister Hayes said: "In early October I approved the release of over 1,500 hectares in
13/11/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £250,000 for the regeneration of a derelict site at Inveroe Gardens in the Creggan Estate, L'Derry. The funding will be used to transform the derelict site into a landscaped park, creating a vibrant, safer and attractive communi
13/11/2013
A Minesto Deep Green 'underwater kite' marine power plant is now producing electricity in the waters off Northern Ireland. This is the first time ever a marine power plant designed for low velocity currents produces electricity at sea, anywhere in the world, and the ocean trials verify the ability
12/11/2013
Colum Eastwood, MLA, has welcomed the opening of the multi-million pound, approximately £34m, Carrickatane wind farm in County Tyrone, a key part of ESB's wind development programme. ESB, which employs approximately 1,400 staff in Northern Ireland, produces 14% of the renewable electricity generate
12/11/2013
Ireland's Independent energy provider Energia will create 100 new jobs within the next 12 months as part of its planned entry into the residential electricity and gas market. Part of the major energy company Viridian Group, Energia has pioneered competition in the Irish energy market since 1999 a
12/11/2013
Fine Gael Roscommon/South Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, has welcomed the allocation by Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan TD, of €200,000 in LEADER funding to support a biomass processing business in Strokestown, Co Roscommon. Mr Feighan said: "I am delighted that Minister Hogan has sanctioned R
12/11/2013
Fianna Fáil will force a vote today on an amendment to bring Irish Water under the provisions of Freedom of Information legislation. Fianna Fáil wants the new agency, which is tasked with installing water metres to homes across the country, to be subject to public scrutiny. The Minister for Public
12/11/2013
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr Phil Hogan TD has announced that he has approved the necessary funding for a new sewerage scheme to service Gweedore. The estimated cost of the works is in the region of €13m. Minister Hogan said: "A sewerage scheme for Gweedore ha
12/11/2013
Sinn Féin MLA Caitriona Ruane has said that she is concerned that the clean up of Sellafield Nuclear processing plant is years behind schedule and totally over budget. Ms Ruane said: "I took the opportunity to raise with the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan a damning report from The British House
12/11/2013
Minister for Natural Resources, Fergus O'Dowd, has announced the timing and outline of the next Atlantic Margin Oil and Gas Exploration Licensing Round. The full detail of the Round will be announced after a review of oil and gas fiscal terms is complete in early 2014. The Round is scheduled to o
12/11/2013
Northern Ireland off site construction specialists McAvoy Group has won a prestigious contract for its Hire division to supply accommodation for workers at the Offshore Wind Terminal in Belfast Harbour. The development is the first bespoke offshore wind installation and pre-assembly harbour in the
12/11/2013
A resurfacing scheme is due to start on a section of Kennedy Way, Belfast on Saturday 16 November. The scheme on the road between the Glen Road Roundabout and the Andersonstown Road Roundabout has an estimated cost of £156,000 and is expected to take eight days to complete. Transport Minister, Dan
12/11/2013
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has visited one of the Affordable Warmth scheme pilot teams in Cookstown. The Affordable Warmth pilots are currently underway in two areas in Northern Ireland. The first one is in Mid Ulster council cluster of Cookstown, Magherafelt and Dungannon and the second on
11/11/2013
Labour Senator Denis Landy has this week called on EirGrid to re-examine their proposals to provide high voltage lines across the country, in light of the serious environmental, health and aesthetic effects that overhead lines will visit on the people of Ireland. Senator Landy said: "All high volta
11/11/2013
Crowley Carbon, an Enterprise Ireland client and Ireland's fastest-growing Energy Services company, has today announced the creation of 20 new jobs at the launch of C³, the world's first Carbon Control Centre located in Enniskerry, County Wicklow. The facility, which is the first of its type in the
11/11/2013
Energia is now supplying over 600 megawatts (MWs) from renewable sources. The company recently acquired a number of consented wind farms, including the 12 turbine wind farms at Long Mountain, Antrim and Clondermot, L'Derry. When fully operational the new wind farms will generate over 53MWs of renew
11/11/2013
SDLP Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has blasted the DUP and Sinn Fein for hijacking the Planning Bill in what he called their relentless pursuit of power. The Foyle MLA was speaking at the annual party conference at the weekend in Armagh where he told members the SDLP must use their one seat at
11/11/2013
The European Commission has called on Dublin City Council to terminate a PR contract at the Poolbeg incinerator, however Sinn Fein's environment spokesperson, Brian Stanley TD, has said Dublin City Council's incinerator plans are up in smoke. Deputy Stanley said: "This whole Design, Build and Opera
11/11/2013
Cork City Councillor Seán Martin has accused the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan of abandoning local councils as many face huge liabilities in Property Tax and loan repayments. Councillor Martin was speaking as Cork City Council faces liabilities of over €3m before the council budget 2014 d
11/11/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced a £2.4 million public realm scheme for Donaghadee. The scheme covering the Shore Street, New Street, Bridge Street, the Parade and High Street areas of the town will help transform Donaghadee, creating a distinct and harmonious image for t
11/11/2013
Northern Ireland Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out Roads Service's progress on investment totalling £7.3million for road improvement and maintenance schemes in the Ballymena Council area this year. The Minister said: "A wide range of road improvement and maintenance schemes is
08/11/2013
Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson Deputy Jonathan O'Brien has slammed the government for failing to honour its commitment to increase the stock of social housing. Deputy O'Brien challenged Táiniste Eamon Gilmore during Leaders Questions on his government's failure to develop any plan to deal with th
08/11/2013
Two County Clare hotels have received the highest accreditation available under the Green Hospitality Awards (GHA) programme after they successfully reduced their energy consumption by almost a third. They also reduced the amount of waste going to landfill by more than 60%. The Armada in Spanish
08/11/2013
Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott has expressed his surprise after receiving written answers to Assembly questions to the Minister for Social Development which show that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive had an underspend of £23m in the October monitoring round. Furthermore, 1,555 preliminary i
08/11/2013
Labour TD Brendan Ryan, has called on the Minister for Finance to examine the viability of introducing a tax credit for people who pay a property management fee. Speaking in the Dáil during the Second Stage of the Finance Bill, Deputy Ryan called for such a measure to be examined at Committee Stag
08/11/2013
Minister Phil Hogan TD, welcomed the announcement by Dublin City Council of the lifting of night time water restrictions in the Dublin area on Thursday evening. The restrictions were caused by a problem with the water being treated at the Ballymore Eustace Water Treatment Plant, but that problem h
08/11/2013
Fine Gael Cork South West Deputy, Jim Daly, has welcomed the reintroduction of a number of school improvement schemes which will see schools in Cork receiving funding for minor works and bigger building projects which include roof and window upgrades, electrical works and structural improvements. H
07/11/2013
Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has announced the allocation of almost €70 million for school improvements. Over €28m is being made available as a once-off payment to primary schools as part of the Minor Works Grant scheme. Another €40m will be allocated under the Summer Works
07/11/2013
Minister for Health Dr. James Reilly TD has outlined progress to date on the new Children's Hospital. The Minister said: "Today marks the first anniversary of the Government's decision to locate the new children's hospital in Dublin 8, co-located with St. James's Hospital on its campus. "The build
07/11/2013
Fianna Fáil has published legislation to ensure no one will have to pay the 2014 property tax before the end of 2013, regardless of how they choose to pay it. The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill provides that no payment can be deducted from a property owner until the commencem
07/11/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Michael Moynihan TD, has called for an independent mediator to be appointed to liaise between Eirgrid and the public in relation to genuine and serious concerns about overhead pylons. Deputy Moynihan said all construction of
07/11/2013
Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton TD and IDA Ireland today welcomed the announcement that Facebook is to take a new office space in Grand Canal Square in Dublin’s Silicon Docks. Facebook will be making the short move from their existing office space in Hanover Quay, where they established their Inte
07/11/2013
Alliance East Belfast MLA Judith Cochrane has urged the public to apply for the free home insulation scheme available through Power NI. The free insulation, worth up to £800, is available to those on lower incomes. It could save each household up to £150 on energy bills every year. Judith Cochra
07/11/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has announced the start of a £135,000 major resurfacing scheme on the Beltany Road, Omagh. The work starting on Monday 18th November is to resurface the stretch of Beltany Road from West Road for one kilometre towards Omagh. The Minister said: "This sche
07/11/2013
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland has opened the first £3.5 million phase of a major housing regeneration project in the Village area of south Belfast. The Minister was on site to officially open 37 new homes just completed by Fold Housing Association. The new houses are the first of 114 new home
06/11/2013
Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, has approved a major works contract at the Grangegorman site. The contract, valued at almost €23m, has been awarded to Limerick-based Roadbridge Limited. The works will begin immediately and are central to the preparation of the Grangegorman sit
06/11/2013
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, has said that thousands of families can look forward to warmer homes and lower heating bills this winter. The Minister was speaking in West Dublin as she visited local authority homes where energy efficient upgrades are taking place. She said
06/11/2013
Renowned for working closely with industry to generate real business benefits, South Eastern Regional College (SERC) is delighted to announce news that they have received approved centre status for specialist Gas training and assessments. SERC has built up a strong reputation in providing training
06/11/2013
Sinn Féin Environment spokesperson Brian Stanley has said a lack of investment in the water system is the real cause of water shortages in Dublin last week and only proper investment can prevent a repeat of this problem in the future. Deputy Stanley said Minister Hogan's claim that the crisis was c
06/11/2013
Northern Ireland fit-out specialist Portview has recently completed a brand new Lakeland store in Chester. The kitchen and homeware outlet needed to relocate to bigger premises in the city centre and Belfast-based Portview Fit-out were called on to do the job. The new brighter Northgate Street Lak
06/11/2013
A new project website has been launched to provide information and progress updates on the N7 Newlands Cross Flyover & N11 Arklow to Rathnew Projects.
06/11/2013
Work has started on a £70,000 extension to the Sheepbridge park and share site. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy cut the first sod on the scheme which will create 38 extra car parking spaces. As part of the A1 Beech Hill to Cloghogue dualling scheme, a park and share car park comprising 25 spaces
06/11/2013
Social Development Minister McCausland has today confirmed an investment of £310,000 to refurbish the Lecky Road Flyover in L'Derry. This project was developed in partnership with DRD Roads Service who will manage the delivery of the project. Minister McCausland said: "I am pleased to announce tha
05/11/2013
Dublin City Councillors have unanimously backed a motion on the water crisis facing the capital. The emergency motion, tabled by Fianna Fáil, will see the Environment Minister and executives from Irish Water brought before the Council in the weeks ahead. Councillors met for the first time since th
05/11/2013
An integrated, plan-led approach that embraces public participation is essential for an efficient, sustainable energy future, the President of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) Mary Crowley has said. Addressing the IPI's Autumn Planning Conference, Planning to Harness Ireland's Energy Opportunity,
05/11/2013
A consortium led by global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power, based in Ireland, has been awarded Preferred Bidder status by the Department of Energy in South Africa for three large-scale wind energy projects in the Northern Cape with a total generation capacity of 360 megawatts. Th
05/11/2013
Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster today launched Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month at an event in Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Developed by members of the Carbon Monoxide Safety Group, Northern Ireland’s first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month aims to help protect the public fr
05/11/2013
Fianna Fáil Public Expenditure Spokesman Sean Fleming TD has criticised the Labour Party for its attempts to scapegoat the Revenue Commissioners in the most recent Properly Tax debacle and has described Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore's comments on the issue as 'deeply dishonest'. Deputy Fleming commented:
05/11/2013
Vestas has developed the V105-3.3 MW turbine, expanding the flexibility of the proven and popular 3 MW platform. The turbine is aimed at key markets with maximum tip height restrictions such as the UK and Ireland, as well as the IEC 1A high wind and high turbulence wind class. According to UK go
05/11/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy has set out Roads Service's progress on investment totalling £47.34million for road improvement and maintenance schemes in the Larne Council area this year. Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between Roads Service and Larne Borough Council, the Mini
05/11/2013
Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD has said that figures released by the Department of Finance show very clearly that the banks are not playing their part in alleviating the mortgage crisis and that the government is failing to hold them to account. Speaking in Dublin where he attended a meeting of th
04/11/2013
Fine Gael Roscommon/South Leitrim TD, Frank Feighan, has welcomed the capital funding approval of €12 million for the construction of five new water treatment plants and one pumping station on the Arigna, Boyle/Ardcarne, Roscommon Central and South Roscommon Regional water Supply Schemes. The compan
04/11/2013
Labour TD and Chairman of Finance Committee, Ciaran Lynch, is to invite the Revenue Commissioner Josephine Feehily before the Committee to discuss ongoing challenges surrounding the payment of the 2014 Local Property Tax. Mr Lynch said: "I will be contacting the Revenue Commissioner this week to in
04/11/2013
Fine Gael Dublin South Central TD, Catherine Byrne, has called for a long-term solution to be found for Dublin's water problems. Deputy Byrne was speaking as householders and businesses in the city faced a weekend of water shortages and restrictions. Deputy Byrne added that a proposal for a new re
04/11/2013
A homeowner in Northern Ireland has reported a 60 per cent saving on this energy bills after having a Danfoss heat pump fitted to replace an oil fired boiler. Simon Bamford, who lives just outside Lisburn in Northern Ireland, approached Danfoss two years ago, as he was carrying out a major refurbis
04/11/2013
Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, has welcomed the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) of the formal invitation to the market to tender for the Grangegorman Public Private Partnership project. The project consists of two new technologically-advanced educa
04/11/2013
Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced planning approval for an extension to Galgorm Resort and Spa. The approval is for 48 additional bedrooms and a new leisure suite, comprising a swimming pool and gym, at the County Antrim resort. Mr Durkan said: "This is good news for Ballymena and t
04/11/2013
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced a £2.4 million public realm scheme for Comber Town Centre in County Down. The scheme encompassing High Street, The Square, Bridge Street, Bridge Street Link, Killinchy Street and Castle Street will reinvigorate Comber, creating a unique an
04/11/2013
Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced the start of a £160,000 major resurfacing scheme on the A2 Cloughy Road, Portaferry this week. Preparatory works will commence on Monday 11 November 2013. The Minister said: "This scheme will greatly improve the strength and quality of the car
01/11/2013
Jimmy Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, has opened the newly refurbished Athlone Little Theatre. The Athlone Little Theatre is one of the oldest drama groups in the country and the building it is housed in, St Mary's Place school, dating from 1827 was badly in need of reno
01/11/2013
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., has welcomed the publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) of the formal invitation to the market to tender for the Grangegorman Public Private Partnership (PPP) project
01/11/2013
The Fianna Fáil Leaders on the four local authorities in Dublin are calling on the Environment Minister Phil Hogan to meet with a cross-party delegation of local authority members in Dublin to discuss the ongoing water crisis. Dublin City Councillor Mary Fitzpatrick has requested immediate interven
01/11/2013
Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed the completion of work to save the glasshouses in Castlewellan Forest Park. The local Councillor had previously raised concerns about the deterioration of the historical buildings with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in Dece
01/11/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath has said it is not acceptable that the Revenue is collecting payment in 2013 for the 2014 Local Property Tax (LPT) liability and has called on the payment arrangements to be changed. Deputy McGrath said: "The letters sent by Revenue this week to h
01/11/2013
Mr Frank McHenry, 56, of Torr Road, Ballycastle, was fined a total of £918 at Coleraine Magistrates' Court today for breaches of waste management legislation. In June 2011, officers from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency carried out a site inspection on lands off the Glenshesk Road, Ballycas
01/11/2013
East Belfast DUP MLA and Policing Board member Robin Newton has welcomed the raid on a fuel-laundering plant in Crossmaglen but said that the law-abiding public will feel angry and disappointed that there have been no arrests. Commenting Mr Newton said: "It is good news for honest businesses that t
01/11/2013
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection and Social Equality, Willie O’Dea TD, says he is appalled at reports that elderly people are being forced to take day-long train journeys on a weekly basis because they cannot afford to heat their homes during the day. Both Active Retirement and Age Act
