Construction Ireland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
02/11/2010

Builders 'Need Water Charges', Says RICS

A leading construction professional has reacted positively to this week's DUP policy document on dealing with Northern Ireland's financial crisis.

However, he also disagreed with the First Minister, Peter Robinson's opposition to water charges.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Northern Ireland Director, Ben Collin said that the construction of hospitals and schools - which would of course boost the building sector - could be stymied if water charges are not in fact introduced.

"We welcome the document's emphasis on the need for cooperation around the (Stormont) Executive table, and on engaging positively with other parties to deliver a budget in the best interests of all the people of Northern Ireland.

-- Advertisement --

"However, it is disappointing that there is no commitment to the introduction of domestic water charging.

"We realise that this is a politically sensitive issue, but continuing to defer domestic water charging will only have a detrimental impact on the ability to spend on crucial things like schools and hospitals.

"We think that the long-term interests of NI will therefore be best served by introducing domestic water charging as soon as possible," he said.

"With regard to the measures proposed, we think there is particular merit in switching funds from the resource budget to the capital budget, given the positive economic impact of capital spending and the pressing need to invest in Northern Ireland's infrastructure for long-term competitiveness.

However, the DUP Leader and First Minister Peter Robinson received support for not imposing water charges from his political rivals, Sinn Fein.

Their spokesperson Mitchel McLaughlin said: "It is welcome that the DUP have now published their proposals and I am sure the other parties will soon follow suit.

"As an initial observation on the DUP proposals I would welcome the commitment to continue to oppose water charges."

See: SF Welcomes DUP Economic Plan

(BMcC)

Latest Construction News

02/05/2024

BAM is set to bring a prime retail investment opportunity in Cork City centre to the market at a guide price of €1,730,000. The property is situated in the heart of Cork on the west side of South Main Street. It is an integral part of the Brewery Quarter Development, featuring a range of ...
02/05/2024

Lagan Group has marked the end of a long-standing contract that outsourced the operation of wastewater treatment facilities at Kinnegar, Holywood in County Down for the past 25 years. The contract which was undertook through the UK government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI) was awarded back in ...
02/05/2024

SSE Renewables has obtained a fully consented 100MW / 200MWh battery storage project near Dungannon in County Tyrone from Heron Energy. If delivered, the Derrymeen battery energy storage system (BESS) which has an installed capacity of 100MW / 200MW, would be the largest installed battery storage ...
02/05/2024

Martin & Hamilton has completed upgrade and extension works for the new Border Force Immigration facilities at Belfast International Airport. The works involved layout amendments spanning two floors, including the relocation of existing Border Force offices and modifications to the Departures ...
02/05/2024

Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons, has provided an update on the introduction of urgent legislation to address the disparity of legal protection to citizens affected by defective premises. On 15 April 2024, Mr Lyons announced to Members the proposed legislation that he intends to bring ...
02/05/2024

Alliance has called for a comprehensive strategy to speed up the transition from fossil fuels to a fairer, greener society, powered by renewable energy. The party's Economy spokesperson, David Honeyford MLA, has identified the need for reform of the planning system as key to the development of ...
02/05/2024

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Finance, Pearse Doherty TD, has condemned the carbon tax hike on home heating fuels, calling it a "blow" to households that are struggling with high energy costs. The forthcoming tax hike will affect both home heating and gas. In the last three years alone, gas prices ...
02/05/2024

NI Water has been granted a licence to temporarily use Foyle Street Car Park in order to carry out a major wastewater network upgrade in L'Derry this summer. Now the licence and other agreements is in place, NI Water has been able to appoint a contractor who will mobilise to the car park in the ...
02/05/2024

Uisce Éireann has announced that essential works will be carried out on the water network in Clonakilty on Tuesday 7 May and a water outage will take place. The critical improvements are underway as part of Uisce Éireann's Leakage Reduction Programme. They will improve the water supply network in ...
02/05/2024

Kildare County Council has published its new Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) guidelines which is set to benefit the built and natural environment. The Council has begun implementing SuDS design in its Parks projects and is committed to integrating this approach into all future projects. This ...
FITACTool FixShannonside GalvanizingCarlow Concrete TanksSlanetracGS Concrete PumpingGarden and Home FxFox Excavations & Plant HireBioheat IrelandAcara Concepts Ltd Ireland
Terms and Conditions
2024/05/03 06:24:21