Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for April 2008
30/04/2008
A construction worker has died following an on-site accident in Galway. The man, believed to be in his late 20s, died in an accident which occurred around 1.15pm today at the Sports Grounds on College Road. The scene was cordoned off this afternoon as garda carried out a technical examination. Th
30/04/2008
Plans have been revealed for a €4 billion business park at Dublin City Airport - with literally thousands of jobs resulting. The project, revealed by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), is aimed at becoming Ireland's "premier location for international business headquarters," targeting the next gen
30/04/2008
While the price of a house in Northern Ireland will have dropped by a total of £75,000 by the end of this year, taking the average price of a house here to £175,000, that is in line with the current UK-wide figure - now said to be £178,555. Economist Richard Ramsey of the Ulster Bank predicted the
30/04/2008
A massive infrastructure investment has been announced for the Belfast City Council area today. Regional Development minister Conor Murphy announced the £8 million investment ahead of this afternoon's meeting between Roads Service and Belfast City Council. The Minister outlined a number of major an
30/04/2008
Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Tony Killeen, said that the Government is taking the necessary steps to ensure that coastal defences are put in place around the country. He added that coastal protection works are being undertaken at various loc
30/04/2008
Latest figures from the Central Bank show the first quarter of 2008 has been the slowest start to a year for residential mortgages in five years. Growth is at it’s lowest in 16 years and the bank says the total amount owed on residential mortgages increased by 11.6% in the 12 months to March of thi
30/04/2008
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has been announced as the host for this year's leading European construction conference. FIEC, the European Construction Federation, has selected Dublin as the venue for its prestigious annual congress and conference, with events taking place over the week
30/04/2008
Balfour Beatty, the international engineering, construction, services and investment group, has announced that - as part of the consortium, Transtec Gotthard - it has been awarded the rail systems work for the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland by AlpTransit Gotthard AG. The contract is likely t
30/04/2008
Environment Minister Arlene Foster today officially opened the new £1.7 million expansion to the Banbridge District Council community recycling centre. The centre will provide the area with a much improved facility and its 'state of the art' design and layout has been created to make a valuable con
30/04/2008
DuPont has announced the appointment of a DuPont Tyvek specialist in Ireland. Ronan McCormack joins the company with an extensive background in the construction industry. His aim is to further develop the market for DuPont Tyvek, building awareness for its unique technology - and all that it has to
29/04/2008
Invest Northern Ireland has helped North West-based Alpha Environmental Systems Ltd to significantly boost its exports and its annual turnover to £4.1 million. Alpha Environmental, in Coleraine, provides products and services to restore contaminated soil and water for both residential and industria
29/04/2008
A sustainable lifestyle was on the agenda for the NI Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness today as he joined well known TV scientist, Professor David Bellamy to launch 'Eco-World', at the Odysseys W5 in Belfast. The new interactive resource aims to demonstrate to young people the benefits of li
29/04/2008
A £ multi million development in Co Down - which will create around 800 jobs - has been launched by the NI Economy Minister Nigel Dodds. He performed a sod-cutting ceremony at the new £40 million industrial phase of the Bridgewater Park, Banbridge, The event signals the start of work on the first
29/04/2008
The Limerick Clare Energy Agency (LCEA) have said that the Government's launch of a Home Energy Saving Scheme had presented the people of Clare and Limerick with an ideal opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The LCEA, along with Clare County Council and Limerick County Counc
29/04/2008
Two men were taken to hospital on Monday evening after electricity poles were attacked and cut down in west Belfast. A 25-year-old was arrested after the incident, which left 1,400 homes without electricity. The NIE structure at the substation in the Glen Road/Suffolk Road area was cut down just
29/04/2008
John Gormley, Irish Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, has announced funding of €3.5 million for conservation projects throughout the country. The projects are part of the Civic Structures Conservation Scheme, 2008. Over 190 applications were received under the scheme, an
29/04/2008
The CEF Specify Construction Excellence Awards have returned for 2008 and, for the first time, were launched at Stormont Buildings in Belfast. The move was in recognition of the industry’s role in the regeneration of Northern Ireland with its flourishing skyline. Junior Ministers Gerry Kelly an
29/04/2008
The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) is administering a competition for the architectural and structural design of a bridge over the Liffey Valley. The competition will see the design of the bridge serve the new Metro West line. Following and initial expression of interest to con
29/04/2008
Irish Minister Eamon Ryan, has announced the appointment of Dermot Nolan as the third member of the Commission for Energy Regulation. Mr Nolan, who will take up his position next June, has a strong background in sectoral regulation and competition policy. He is currently Director of the Retail Divi
29/04/2008
The Property Management Division at Savills Hamilton Osborne King sees further expansion with two key senior appointments. Helen Moore has been appointed Director, Property Management and Glenn Cran has been appointed Associate within the Division. A third senior appointment has been made within t
28/04/2008
A man has died following an explosion at a chemical and pharmaceutical plant in County Cork. 58-year-old Liam Nodwell from Glanmire was killed at the explosion at the Cordon PharmaChem factory in Little Island. The blast happened at around 1.25am this morning. Two other men were also injured in t
28/04/2008
A Fermanagh-based building products and financial services magnate has been named as Northern Ireland's wealthiest person. Sean Quinn and his family, owners of the Quinn Group, have a fortune of £3,730 million - ranking 12th among Britain's richest, revealed in yesterday's Sunday Times Rich List.
28/04/2008
Nineteen people were killed and 3,500 were injured at work in Northern Ireland between 2006 and 2007, it has been revealed. The figures were revealed today at a ceremony for International Workers Memorial Day. Northern Ireland Minister for Health and Safety, Nigel Dodds, joined the Northern Irelan
28/04/2008
Vandals have caused almost £80,000 worth of damage to a County Londonderry farm. Around 30 bags of fertiliser were slashed during the attack, which took place at Gilbert Crawford's farm on the Knocknakeilt Road in the early hours of Sunday. A large quantity of diesel was also poured onto the yard.
28/04/2008
Building firm Cleary & Doyle Contracting (C&DC) have recorded a €6.3m loss for the year ending June 2007. The company's turnover fell from €94m in 2006 to €52.6m last year. The balance sheet indicates an excess of liabilities over assets amounting to €3,063,657. Operating costs rose by 18%. Tax
28/04/2008
Derry City Football Club is to ask the Northern Ireland Executive for £5m towards the redevelopment of its Brandywell stadium. The Candystripes chairman, Pat McDaid said the Irish Government would also be asked to provide £5m with the club coming up with the remaining £5m. The club will now attem
28/04/2008
Wexford County Council are to instigate moves to prevent a property developer from continuing with coastal protection works near his house. Last year, Harry Crosbie sought planning permission to install coastal erosion control measures near a site at Kilpatrick, 10km north of Courtown, on the Wick
28/04/2008
Luxury apartments at Belfast's Victoria Square shopping complex have been unveiled. The development, called The Residence, has 106 apartments priced from £205,000 upwards. There is a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments, which range in size from 520-1000 sq ft. Prospective buyers were giv
28/04/2008
Work has begun on the construction of a new private hospital in Letterkenny. Wyndale clinic is due to open next year, offering a wide range of medical services including specialist cancer and radiation treatments not currently available in the region. The new facility will have world-class service
28/04/2008
New measures to control the export of waste for recycling have been announced by John Gormley the Minister for Environment. A registration system for dealers involved in exporting waste to other countries will be set up to prevent illegal activity and to ensure that waste is moved without harm to t
25/04/2008
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adjourned its hearing into the proposed licensing of the Dublin City Council incinerator at Poolbeg. The council is seeking a licence from the EPA to run what would be one of the largest municipal waste incinerators in Europe, after being granted permis
25/04/2008
Builders coughed up over €150m to the Revenue Commissioners in 2007, according to a report published today. The Revenue Commissioners Annual Report revealed it collected €151.4 from the construction sector in tax, interest and penalties in 2007. The figures show that the construction sector accoun
25/04/2008
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has today given her commitment to explore in greater detail areas of mutual interest, including research, on a North-South basis. The minister made the commitment when delivering a keynote speech in Cork today to leading housing experts from throughout t
25/04/2008
Decisions on almost 30,000 planning applications were made by the Northern Ireland Planning Service in 2006/07, according to statistics released today by the Department of the Environment. The Planning Statistics Annual Report revealed that 26,145 applications were received and 29,077 applications
25/04/2008
The Government is to review the section of the controversial Planning and Development Act that seeks to increase the supply of affordable housing. The review announced today by Housing Minister Batt O'Keefe, coincides with the publication of a report from the Affordable Homes Partnership. Under Pa
25/04/2008
A decision by An Bord Pleanála on the proposed move by the Port of Cork is due in early June when it receives a report on the €160m relocation plan. Over the last 15 days, An Bord Pleanála inspector Paul Caprani has been hearing submissions from 56 supporters and several objectors of the proposal t
25/04/2008
Clare County Council has announced it is to compile an inventory of industrial heritage structures within the County. The local authority's Conservation Office, with the assistance of the Heritage Council, is presently conducting a scoping and desktop survey with a view to commencing the field surv
25/04/2008
One of Northern Ireland's most notorious accident 'blackspots' is now at the centre of a row over the route that a vital road-widening scheme will take. With support from local MP and outgoing First Minister, Dr Ian Paisley and other local MLAs, the NI Assembly was this week lobbied on the issue wh
25/04/2008
A new Home Energy Saving Scheme has been announced by Energy Minister Eamon Ryan. The scheme will encourage and incentivise homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes in order to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. With an initial investment of €5 million, this regional
24/04/2008
A draft regeneration framework for the Northside of Belfast City Centre has been launched today by Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie. The framework has the potential to deliver clear benefits, including over 800 residential units, 20% of which will be affordable and
24/04/2008
The Government has approved new Public Private Partnership (PPP) funding in excess of €1 billion for the building of almost 200km new national roads. Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has instructed the NRA to proceed with raising the private finance for the construction of two sections of the N20; a
24/04/2008
The Department of the Environment has allowed Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council to accept the €12.4 million tender for the Civil Works Contract of the Sandyford Water Supply Scheme. Local Fianna Fáil Senator Maria Corrigan welcomed the decision. "During correspondence with Minister Gormley, h
24/04/2008
A Milltown man has admitted forging up to eight signatures as part of an objection to a planning application submitted by developer John Cahillane last year. Thomas O'Sulivan apologised after it was learned that he forged signatures on the submission against Mr Cahillane's application for permissio
24/04/2008
An Irish firm that provides pre-insulated light gauge steel (LGS) frame buildings have announced a series of marked successes, working with prominent contractors and developers throughout Ireland and the UK. Fusion Building Systems provide a complete system for the design, manufacture and erection
24/04/2008
Minister for Public Safety Michael McGimpsey has visited the site of the new £2.6 million Armagh Fire Station and Community Fire Safety Centre. Work began on the new state-of-the-art station - at Loughgall Road close to the City centre - in February 2008 and it is anticipated the building will be c
24/04/2008
An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for 700 new homes on Dublin's South Circular Road. In a joint venture between Bee Bee Developments and the Walls Group, the development will be sited on the former Players cigarette factory and adjoining Bailey Gibson industrial premises. The projec
24/04/2008
The recently upgraded facilities at Battery Harbour on the shores of Lough Neagh were officially opened yesterday by Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew. £225,000 was invested through the extension of the harbour to provide an additional six berths, bringing the total number of berths to
24/04/2008
Point Depot owner, Harry Crosbie is carrying out works to stop coastal erosion near his holiday home despite being refused planning permission. Agents working for Crosbie, wrote to Wexford County Council to say they would carry out the work regardless. A planning application was lodged with Wexfor
24/04/2008
The Northern Ireland Executive has put in place contingency plans to mitigate possible fuel supply disruption as a result of a planned strike at Grangemouth oil refinery. A two-day strike by up to 1,200 workers will now go ahead on Sunday and Monday, after talks between the refinery bosses, Ineos a
23/04/2008
Up to 400 construction jobs are to be created with the redevelopment of an old iron foundry in Waterford. A planning application for the €380m riverside development, which was unveiled yesterday, will be lodged with Waterford City Council within two weeks. Proposals for the brownfield former Water
23/04/2008
Northern Ireland builders are being hit much harder by the slowdown in the property market compared to their UK counterparts, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said. In a report published yesterday, the FMB revealed that NI builders are reporting a workload of 30% less than the UK average
23/04/2008
Bord Gáis Networks have announced that the next phase in the Gaswest Project is about to get underway following the award of a construction contract to GMC Civil and Mechanical Engineering Ltd following a competitive tender process. This phase of the project will bring natural gas to five Mayo tow
23/04/2008
An Bord Pleanála has revealed it received the highest ever number of submissions concerning Sean Dunne's Ballsbridge plans, than it has on any other project. And, the board said, most of the submissions are in favour of the proposal. Of the 125 submissions, 88 back the project. Dublin City Counci
23/04/2008
Consultants commissioned by Belfast City Council have identified five viable sites as potential alternatives to the Maze Stadium. The sites, which the researchers believe are better suited to hosting a multi-sports complex for football, rugby and Gaelic games, are all within the city. The five lo
23/04/2008
A partnership between the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the University of Limerick and Limerick Institute of Technology has won the tender to consult on the regeneration of the North and South sides of Limerick. BRE Ireland is now 'Client Advisor in Sustainability'. Claire Feeney, Southsi
23/04/2008
The green light has been given for Donegal County Council to put the design, build and operate contract to tender for the Letterkenny Sewerage Scheme, according to Donegal North East Fianna Fáil TD Niall Blaney. Welcoming the news, Deputy Blaney said the Scheme will include a new wastewater treatme
23/04/2008
The new £10 million Graham construction headquarters in Hillsborough was given the go-ahead thanks to the Planning Service's new Strategic Projects Unit (SPU), according to Environment Minister Arlene Foster. She praised the work of the SPU, which processed the major planning application for the Gr
23/04/2008
The Green Party has called on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw its proposed decision to grant a waste licence for a massive incinerator at Poolbeg in Dublin. Speaking at the EPA oral hearing in Dublin yesterday, Green Party TD for Dun Laoghaire, Ciaran Cuffe said the granting of th
23/04/2008
Concerns have been raised for the fate of a County Fermanagh school, after a planning application was withdrawn. Enniskillen residents fear that the £15m Devenish College rebuild, which was due to start later this year, may not go-ahead. The rebuild has been put on hold while the Western Education
22/04/2008
A dramatic scheme to include a unique visitor attraction for Dublin, the "Park in the Sky" - with a panoramic observation deck and stunning views of the city - has been unveiled. Plans for the €1.25bn development - a 5.5 acre area centred on the former Carlton cinema site, on Upper O'Connell Street
22/04/2008
A man has died on a building site in Dublin. The incident happened this morning near the Tyrconnel Road in Inchicore. Gardaí are not treating the death as suspicious. (VB/NS)
22/04/2008
Construction company Graham is to create 200 jobs in Co Down after being given the go-ahead for a new £10m (€12.5m) eco-friendly headquarters. The Dromore firm is to move its headquarters a short distance to a base just off the A1 dual carriageway beside Hillsborough. The eco-friendly HQ building
22/04/2008
A senior officer at a Co Antrim council has admitted that its tendering arrangements are wrong. Larne Borough Council's Chief Executive Geraldine McGahey has "held up her hands" to allegations of a "flawed process". Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster this morning she admitted to faults but insisted that
22/04/2008
Nearly a mile long and 40 metres below ground, a key section of Belfast's deepest tunnel was completed yesterday as the tunnel boring machine (TBM) made its breakthrough at Duncrue Street. Capable of holding vast overflows of stormwater - up to four million gallons - it will reduce the risk of sewe
22/04/2008
The Dublin area will need almost 250,000 housing units over the next eight years, Dublin City Manager, John Tierney has said. Speaking at a conference on high-rise development, he said the council had discussed proposals to introduce high-rise and high-density housing in parts of the city and plan
22/04/2008
Rapid progress is being made on the two proposed development schemes in Coleraine town centre, Northern Ireland Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has revealed. Last year her department launched a public consultation on the proposed £115m (€143m) development schemes for the Abbey Street a
22/04/2008
The Department of Education is to continue to use Public Private Partnerships (PPP) for the construction of new schools, despite criticism of the previous €150 million five-school pilot sheme. Under the partnerships, private companies build and maintain schools for 25 years in return for fees from
22/04/2008
A major road resurfacing scheme and associated works are expected to begin next month on the A6 Toome Bypass and last for a period of six weeks. The scheme is required to provide an extended lifespan of the carriageway surface on this busy section of road. The Department for Regional Development s
22/04/2008
A new International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) president has been elected at the group's Annual General Meeting last week. John Ball, group Managing Director of Height for Hire, Ireland, succeeds Andrew Reid of SGB Mastclimbers. He will serve a two-year term and advance the objectives of t
21/04/2008
Injuries received in a Co Fermanagh site accident recently have resulted in the death of the digger driver involved. The incident took place at a refuse site in Enniskillen earlier this month leaving the victim, Ronnie Marshall, with serious injuries when his digger fell over and became partly subm
21/04/2008
Two Northern Ireland construction firms have been included in the Sunday Times list of the top 100 UK private businesses. Co Antrim housebuilder, Hagan Homes and Co Down construction contractor, Graham have been ranked 63 and 85 respectively, in the 2008 Profit Track 100 league table. The Sunday T
21/04/2008
Irish firm, CRH has raised over €300 million to help fund its ongoing acquisitions programme. Despite the UK credit crunch, the building materials giant was able to sell the equivalent of €316 million in bonds on the UK market, immediately exchanging from sterling into euros. CRH's last bond sale
21/04/2008
The Port of Belfast has started work on a £6m facility to provide new import and transit storage facilities for Northern Ireland's agri-food sector. The facility, which will provide storage for 55,000 tonnes of grain and animal feed, will be located close to the Port's deep-water berth, Stormont W
21/04/2008
Despite the fact that commercial property investment and development has remained stagnant as a result of a lack of funding, the occupier sectors continue to perform strongly and the office sector in particular, is in good shape. According to the latest research by property consultants, CB Richard
21/04/2008
A series of information days on the proposed improvements to the A5 route between Derry and the border at Aughnacloy will be held by Roads Service. The upgrading of the A5 to dual carriageway status is the largest project ever to be undertaken in the north. This latest announcement follows last sum
21/04/2008
The architects who will represent Ireland at the 11th International Architecture Biennale in Venice, to be presented by Culture Ireland and the Arts Council, have just been selected by the Commissioners, the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF) and co-commissioner Dr Hugh Campbell, Senior Lecturer in
21/04/2008
Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Tony Killeen today opened the three day 'Green Mines' international Conference in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Welcoming the participants to Nenagh, the Minister said: "Nenagh is a particularly appropriate location for t
21/04/2008
A Cookstown Quarry has been fined £1,000 at Armagh Magistrates' Court today for making a discharge of process effluent into a waterway. D Acheson (Navan Quarries) Ltd Cookstown was charged under Article 9 of the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 of discharging effluent in excess of permitted leve
21/04/2008
A County Limerick Voluntary Housing Association has called on the Government to be more flexible when dealing with voluntary housing groups. Speaking at the opening of 17 homes for elderly people in Towerfield, Croom Association Secretary Michael Walsh said the group is currently waiting on grants
18/04/2008
Two Irish firms have been caught up in the price-fixing scandal that rocked the UK construction sector yesterday. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) accused over 100 construction firms of "bid-rigging" in one of its largest ever investigations. Irish firms Sisk and Durkan Holdings, alongisde constru
18/04/2008
The weakening US dollar/euro exchange rate has prompted broker Davy Research to reduce its earnings forecasts for building materials giant, CRH. The broker has changed its full-year US dollar/euro exchange rate assumption to 1.58 from 1.52. Thus reducing full-year 2008 EPS forecast to 272.2c from
18/04/2008
The small and medium sized business body ISME, has called for a 12-month wage freeze to protect jobs. It said a wage freeze would provide a breathing space for many labour intensive small businesses who are experiencing the negative impact of a slowing economy. The association warned that unless t
18/04/2008
A new LUAS bridge is to be built to ease traffic disruption in Dublin city centre during the construction of the Metro North and the interconnector. The bridge, for LUAS line BX, is "urgently needed", to avoid the massive disruption experienced during the last Luas improvements, when works start in
18/04/2008
After a few weeks of uncertainty, a planned development that will give the city of Lisburn its first hotel has been approved. Speaking after the city council gave the go-ahead Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson said the development was an "excellent message about Lisburn" which would provide a much-
18/04/2008
The demolition and subsequent rebuild of the Clarence Hotel could contravene local guidelines and Government legislation, An Bord Pleanála have been told at a hearing into the controversial redevelopment. Dublin City Council has granted permission for the plan last November for a 148 bedroom and 28
18/04/2008
A Derry developer was fined a total of £2,000 (€2500) plus costs for pollution offences at Londonderry Magistrates' Court yesterday. Toland Developments Ltd of Letterkenny Road, pleaded guilty to the two offences and was fined £1,000 on each charge plus court costs of £34 plus analysis costs of £11
18/04/2008
A Cork-based hardware supplier has reported sales of over €50 million for 2007 marking a 13% increase on 2006 sales of €45.5m. Irish International Trading Corporation (IITC), said however, that it is difficult to see this level of growth continuing over the next few years. Instead, it said that it
18/04/2008
Diversified Irish utilities group NTR has announced an €63 million investment for a controlling interest in a strategic solar energy project in the US. It now has a controlling interest in Arizona-based Stirling Energy Systems (SES), a developer of utility-scale solar powered electricity generation
18/04/2008
An Bord Pleanála has been urged by Labour Spokesperson on Housing and Local Government Ciarán Lynch, to be consistent when deciding on private hospitals. After the appeals board overturned a Cork City Council decision to grant planning permission to Sheehan Medical for a private hospital in Bishop
17/04/2008
Job vacancies in the construction sector have continued to decline over the past month, according to the latest assessment by FAS and the ESRI. Reported vacancies in the sector fell five percentage points to 3%. This is the lowest the vacancy rate has been in this sector since the survey began in M
17/04/2008
Shell Ireland has announced a modified route for the controversial Corrib gas pipeline. The route, proposed by RPS consultants is twice as far away from occupied housing compared to the originally approved route. It has been identified following a 14-month route selection process including 11 mo
17/04/2008
Ironically, given regular claims of job creation by the major 'big name' retailers, a new report has said that 7,000 shop jobs could be lost if the growth in out-of-town centres isn't halted. The research report, 'Nightmare on every Street', published by the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trad
17/04/2008
Ireland must look further than the national development plan to avoid past infrastructure mistakes the President of Engineers Ireland, Jack Golden has warned. Speaking at the Engineers Ireland annual conference in Limerick today he said the Government needs to begin a consultation process on the lo
17/04/2008
Northern Ireland Transport Minister, Conor Murphy joined Translink today to cut the first sod for the construction of a new railway station at Newry. The £14.6 million rail station will include a 300-space Park and Ride facility, an enclosed link bridge between platforms and a new int
17/04/2008
Work on the new Tesco Ireland supermarket in Baileboro is to start shortly according to a company spokesperson. It's hoped that the new store will open in October, creating 130 jobs in the local area. Before construction of the facility can begin, it needs a fire certificate under health and saf
17/04/2008
A contentious proposal for a housing development in the north Clare coastal village of Lahinch has been granted planning permission. Clare County Council gave the go-ahead for the development despite the objections of local residents and the nearby Sisters of Mercy, who described the plan as a "con
17/04/2008
Minister of State, Tony Killeen today lauded the work being undertaken in the Midwest to promote the use of renewable and sustainable energy technologies. Speaking following a visit to the annual Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) Energy Show, Minister Killeen said that the region had played a leadin
17/04/2008
NI Economy Minister Nigel Dodds today joined management and staff at a Coleraine factory to celebrate the company's 10th anniversary. Beveridge Engineering - specialists in the supply, fabrication and erection of structural steel and the provision of expert mechanical services - recently completed
17/04/2008
A pilot grant scheme which will allow users to generate electricity for their own use has been announced by Energy Minister, Eamon Ryan. Electricity will be generated via small-scale technologies such as wind turbines and solar power, with the potential to sell excess power back to suppliers. Gr
16/04/2008
Irish building materials group, CRH has agreed to buy Ancon Building Products from Tyco International for a total of €109m. CRH said the deal is subject to the granting of the required regulatory approvals. Ancon is headquartered in Sheffield and also has operations in Europe, the Middle East and
16/04/2008
Tesco Ireland has announced plans to open 16 new stores across the country this year, in a move that will create 1,225 new jobs. The news follows the company's announcement of a 9.8% increase in sales last year, to €2.9bn, with Irish profits of around €180m. Tesco Ireland Chief Executive Tony Keo
16/04/2008
The number of disputes being referred to the Labour Court was down significantly last year, according to the body's latest annual report. Records show that the overall number of cases referred to the Labour Court in 2007 shows a decrease on the historically high level of referrals in recent years.
16/04/2008
£20 billion will be invested over the next decade to tackle social deprivation, Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness pledged yesterday. The Minister was speaking at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, where he told delegates: "We plan to invest approaching £20 billion in our inf
16/04/2008
An Irish firm that specialises in providing workplace management services to the construction sector, has launched a new website. Donseed Ltd today launched its new web site, with the help of Evoco Creative and Rooftop, to give customers a snapshot of what the firm has to offer. Speaking at the la
16/04/2008
Up to 93 schools in Northern Ireland have not yet removed cancer-causing asbestos from their buildings, it has emerged. Currently, there are 65 primary schools, including nurseries, and 28 secondary level schools, including special schools, which have still to eliminate the insulating material comp
16/04/2008
Over €11 million is to be spent on Galway city's roads and transportation this year, it has been revealed. Galway City Council is to provide funds of €6.5 million, the Department of Transport will pay €4.1 million and the National Roads Authority will pay €916,000 into the investment package, which
16/04/2008
The bridge over the railway line at Finaghy Road North in west Belfast will close to traffic in the summer for two months while essential safety improvements take place. In a joint operation, Roads Service and Northern Ireland Railways will replace existing walls and fences over the bridge with a h
16/04/2008
A Northern Ireland bus builder has announced that it has won an order worth over £125m (€155m) to provide vehicles to the world's largest bus operator, FirstGroup. Wrightbus, based in Ballymena, Co Antrim, celebrated what it said was the largest order in its history. Wrightbus said it faced signif
16/04/2008
A new radioptherapy centre is to be built on the site of Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry, it has been revealed. The announcement was made by Health Minister Michael McGimpsey during an assembly debate on Tuesday. Currently the only radiography unit in Northern Ireland is in Belfast, and patients have
15/04/2008
A construction firm and a developer have both denied claims by South Dublin County Council that they have failed to meet social and affordable housing obligations in relation to a major Tallaght development. The case against Durkan New Homes and Hollioake Land Ltd was admitted to the Commercial C
15/04/2008
There will be no prosecution of the over-the-limit driver of an earth-moving machine, which caused the death of a Kerry County Council foreman, an inquest has been told. The jury of seven returned a verdict of accidental death in accordance with medical findings of multiple injuries at the inquest
15/04/2008
Construction of Dublin Airport's new passenger terminal (T2) is on schedule for completion before the end of 2009 and passengers will begin to use the new facility in 24 months time, according to the Chairman of the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), Gary McGann. Speaking in Dublin yesterday at the pu
15/04/2008
A settlement has finally been reached in the long dispute between RTÉ broadcaster Pat Kenny and his neighbour, solicitor Gerard Charlton. A High Court was told this morning that settlement over the 0.2 acre strip of land in Dalkey was reached following more than 10 hours of negotiation on Sunday.
15/04/2008
The pace of Northern Ireland's declining house prices is easing off, according to new figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and Ulster Bank. The RICS housing survey, which is sponsored by Ulster Bank, reports that although Northern Ireland house prices continued to fall d
15/04/2008
A Co Louth building firm has been ordered to pay €20,000 to a scaffolder who claimed he was sacked for his trade union activity. Martin Mulholland of Finnabair Crescent, Dundalk, was sacked by Currabeg Developments of Ardee in May 2006. He claimed that he was sacked just four days after handing th
15/04/2008
Dublin City Council has said it will give more than €20 million to local community projects if proposals for a new incinerator get the go-ahead. In yesterday's opening of the oral hearing to decide whether or not to grant a licence for the planned waste incinerator, the council's Assistant City Man
15/04/2008
A Mallusk-based building supplier is teaming up with a world-leading property and construction body to recognise Northern Ireland's most innovative development projects. Brett Martin, which employs 800 across seven UK facilities, has agreed overall sponsorship of the prestigious Royal Institution of
15/04/2008
A pay deal which chases inflation would be bad for Ireland, and put more jobs at risk, according to IBEC Director General Turlough O'Sullivan. He said the only way to maintain jobs in the current climate, is to moderate pay growth. Mr O'Sullivan said: "The only way to maintain jobs is by controlli
15/04/2008
The Dublin Transport Authority announced yesterday by Noel Dempsey after "11 years of promises" will not be up and running in time to oversee the 'Big Build' underway in the city, Fine Gael Transport Spokesman Fergus O'Dowd has said. Mr O'Dowd claimed the new authority is too late for State's bigge
14/04/2008
A public consultation on proposed revisions to planning fees was launched by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government today. The current fee structure was set in 2001 and became effective in early 2002, when rates previously fixed in 1998 were converted into euros. None of t
14/04/2008
Construction activity remained depressed in March but there are now signs that the overall slowdown is levelling off, according to new figures from the Ulster Bank. The Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) - a seasonally adjusted index designed to measure the overall performance of the con
14/04/2008
Planning permission has been granted for a £3.5 million (€4.4m) refurbishment of Down Royal Racecourse. The course, which has been undergoing modernisation work for over a decade, will get a new entrance and turnstile; a new hospitality suite and private boxes. Work will also include the complete
14/04/2008
The Government is set to unveil details today of the long-awaited Dublin Transport Authority (DTA). The body is being established to oversee transport development in Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow. It will be charged with ending the widespread building of residential or commercial developments
14/04/2008
The number of Irish companies going to the wall in the first quarter of 2008 has increased by over 60% on the same period in 2007, according to the latest figures from business advisory firm FGS. The statistics reveal that 130 companies were placed in liquidation, receivership or examinership in
14/04/2008
Homeowners will have to wait until 2010 before house prices start to increase, according to David Drumm, Chief Executive of Anglo Irish Bank. Speaking to the Sunday Independent, Mr Drumm said however, when prices do begin to rise again in two years time the price growth is unlikely to beat the rate
14/04/2008
A Dublin engineering firm has won a €70 million contract from the Dublin Airport Authority. Mercury Engineering will handle all mechanical and electrical engineering for the new Terminal 2 building and Pier E boarding gates. Work will begin in the summer and is expected to run until the opening of
14/04/2008
An oral hearing is to get underway into the controversial plan for what would be one of the largest municipal waste incinerators in Europe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received 14 valid objections against the Poolbeg Incinerator, which are to be voiced at the hearing in Dublin to
14/04/2008
The largest ever US public investment in Northern Ireland has been announced by Comptroller of the City of New York, William C. Thompson Jr. $150 million has been earmarked for the 'Emerald Investment Development Fund LP', a private equity fund that will total some $750 million and will target infr
14/04/2008
Maynooth University is planning its biggest expansion of student accommodation with the construction of up to 300 new rooms on its campus. Officials at the university hope the design of the project will be finished by the summer, so that work can begin before Christmas 2008. A spokesman said that
14/04/2008
The first sod of a new £2m (€2.6m) state-of-the-art Academic Business and Clinical Research and Innovation Facility (ABC-RIF) at Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry was cut this week. The development will support the research and innovation and generate commercial opportunities in the region and wil
11/04/2008
There has been a sizeable decrease in the number of people employed in the Irish construction sector, it has been revealed today. New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that employment in private firms (with five or more persons) in the construction industry decreased by 11.1% in
11/04/2008
A construction company has been given 21 days to produce employment records following an order from Galway Circuit Court. In the first case of its kind, the Pensions Ombudsman has brought a case against 3D Restoration and Construction Ltd of Barnaderg, Co Galway, in order to obtain their records.
11/04/2008
Irish energy group Viridian has announced its acquisition of wind farm operator Eco Wind Power from Treasury Holdings. Eco Wind Power is currently developing 80 MW of fully approved wind generating capacity, on top of its existing operational windfarm capacity of 24 MW. It also has a substantial
11/04/2008
Cork Airport Authority (CAA) has put an end to their long-running dispute with Dublin Airport by accepting recommendations that it assume millions of euros in debt as the price of independence. Last night, the CAA held a crunch meeting and agreed 'in principle' to accept the debt, in return for its
11/04/2008
Energy efficient construction techniques and low carbon technologies will be examined by a six-strong group of architects, building designers and environmental companies on an Invest Northern Ireland organised visit to the International Passive House conference and exhibition in Nuremberg from today
11/04/2008
Membership of trade unions has fallen to just under a third of all employees, with the sharpest decline seen in the health and construction sectors, according to the Quarterly National Household Survey. Published yesterday by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) the figures show that union membershi
11/04/2008
Tesco representatives have revised plans for a major new superstore in Ballyclare, Co Antrim, after hearing concerns from local residents. The updated plans, for an 'out of town' Tesco store on the Hillhead Road, were brought before the Council's Planning and Consultation Committee this week. Tes
11/04/2008
A leading Irish student accommodation specialist has agreed to acquire a development site adjacent to Birmingham University, it has been revealed. Ely Property Group Limited is set to pay approximately €10.35m for the site, subject to satisfactory planning permission being granted. Ely will seek p
11/04/2008
IBEC, the group that represents Irish business, has announced the Irish winners of the 2007/08 European Business Awards for the Environment (EBAE). The companies, Port of Cork Company, Ecocem Ireland (Dublin), Grainger Sawmills (Cork) and Lagan Cement (Westmeath), will compete with 122 companies f
11/04/2008
A leading hi-tech pharmaceutical business - one of Northern Ireland's 'blue chip' companies - isn't wasting time in its attempt to derail a planned waste recycling plant on its doorstep. The scheme, planned for Portadown, may even threaten jobs if it gets the go-ahead according to Almac, a multi-mi
10/04/2008
The Governing Council of the ECB decided today that underlying interest rates will remain unchanged. The minimum bid rate on the main refinancing operations, the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility will remain unchanged at 4.00%, 5.00% and 3.00% respectively. M
10/04/2008
Plans are at an advanced stage for a controversial runway extension in east Belfast's already busy airport facility. As the management at George Best Belfast City Airport insist that the facility is not currently on the market - despite intense speculation - the owners are planning to proceed with
10/04/2008
Only 4,050 houses were completed in Ireland in March, according to the Irish Independent. The paper has obtained figures - based on the number of new ESB connections - that show a 43% fall in house completions on the same period last year. This is the latest in a string of reports that reveal hous
10/04/2008
Despite ongoing problems with anti-social behaviour in the area, Glengormley is to benefit from a £3 million hotel complex - creating as many as 50 new jobs in the process. The existing Thunderdome Café on the Antrim Road will expand to facilitate the creation of a hotel and conference centre now t
10/04/2008
The family of a nine-year-old boy, who died from severe burns after a container of liquid exploded on a building site, began legal action yesterday. Stephen Long was playing on the O'Flynn Construction building site in Mount Oval village, Rochestown, Cork in September 2001 when he sustained severe
10/04/2008
No more houses should be built at one of the north's most popular beach resorts until pollution problems are resolved, a Northern Ireland Assembly member has said today. South Down MLA Jim Wells has called for all planning applications in Newcastle to be refused until standards improve. Last year
10/04/2008
A leading provider of oil and gas pressure control equipment and services to the global oil and gas exploration industry is to significantly develop and expand its existing manufacturing and R&D facility in Longford Town, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin has announced
10/04/2008
Northern Ireland is leading the way in mortgage lending this week with news that a local lender is now the last UK bank offering 100% mortgages. The Northern Bank yesterday was still offering a deal that doesn't require borrowers to put down a deposit. The Ulster Bank withdrew its equivalent prod
10/04/2008
Withholding payments to specialist contractors could threaten the construction industry, according to the Confederation of Associations of Specialist Engineering Contractors (CASEC). The lobby group will today outline its concerns to Finance Minister Peter Robinson regarding the future growth and
10/04/2008
A new national programme to support local communities to combat graffiti was today announced by the Irish Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Brian Lenihan, along with his colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage & Local Government John Gormley. Under the Community 'Graffiti
09/04/2008
The rate of unemployment is set to grow significantly over the next two years, with the construction sector experiencing the most job losses, according to the FÁS. In its quarterly labour market report, the State training and employment agency has predicted unemployment will climb to 5.5% this year
09/04/2008
The Taoiseach has played down recent claims that a legal loophole is allowing building developers to evade tax, costing the exchequer up to €250 million a year. Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore told the Dáil this morning that a licensing arrangement whereby builders acquire land but do not formall
09/04/2008
Funding of £1.5 million towards a public realm scheme for Portadown town centre has been announced by NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today. The work will enhance the town centre by improving accessibility, creating a more pedestrian friendly urban environment and providing a safe a
09/04/2008
Irish economists have revised their 2008 growth predictions as the downturn in house building activity continues to act as a "drag" on the economy. The AIB said in its Irish Economy Bulletin, published yesterday, that the construction sector will be the main drag on the economy again in 2008, with
09/04/2008
The proposed hospital for the North East was never to be funded through the National Development Plan (NDP), the Irish Minister for Health, Mary Harney, said yesterday. The current NDP covers projects planned between 2003 and 2007, but the new hospital was envisaged as a much longer-term project.
09/04/2008
Construction work will recommence on the state-of-the-art Shamrock Rovers stadium in Tallaght which will be available for use next season, according to Fianna Fáil TD Charlie O'Connor. Speaking yesterday, Deputy O'Connor said: "I am delighted that the wheels are back in motion regarding the constru
09/04/2008
A worker has been injured after an accident at a landfill site in Fermanagh. The man is his 50s is seriously ill in hospital after the incident at the Drummee Waste Management Facility in Enniskillen yesterday afternoon. It has been reported that the man, who was a contractor, was operating a Ferm
09/04/2008
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has announced that international consultants Ecofys have been appointed by his Department to undertake the independent study on the comparative merits of overhead electricity transmission lines versus underground cables. The consultants were appointed following a tender
09/04/2008
The allocation of €729,969 to 11 small public water or sewerage schemes in the CLÁR areas of County Cork was announced yesterday by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív. The allocations are; €54,509 to Ringarogy Cross Mains Installation; €33,124 to Fishers Cross - D
09/04/2008
Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Arlene Foster today launched Northern Ireland's first ever State of the Environment Report, 'Our Environment, Our Heritage, Our Future.' The report brings together for the first time detailed information on NI's environment. It presents a set of 30 indicators
08/04/2008
A dispute over the division of profits between property developer Seamus Ross and estate agent Arthur French was brought to the High Court yesterday. Mr French has claimed that he is owed millions in profits from a joint venture to build luxury homes on the grounds of the exclusive K Club hotel and
08/04/2008
Northern Ireland Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew has outlined the rationale behind her department's planned re-development of the Forkhill former army base. The Minister spoke following a No Named Motion in the Assembly which argued that Department for Social Development should have r
08/04/2008
Asking prices across Ireland are continuing to fall, and more significantly in the most expensive areas of the country, according to a new report. Daft.ie, Ireland's largest property website, today released the latest Daft House Price Report, covering the first three months of 2008. The report show
08/04/2008
Clare County Council has granted planning permission for a company to build an explosives factory along the Shannon estuary. Shannon Explosives Ltd is to construct the contentious €10 million plant at Cahercon pier, Kildysart. The council ruled that the plan would not injure the amenities in the a
08/04/2008
A light rail system - comparable to the Luas in Dublin - is not viable for Belfast, according to a report published today. The report by Atkins & KPMG, commissioned by the NI Department of Regional Development has said that while a rapid transit network is viable for Belfast, it should be in the fo
08/04/2008
Meath County Councillors have welcomed the recommendation that the new North East hospital be located in Navan. The council said it will try to ensure that the planning process for the 750-bed, €650 million hospital "goes through as quickly as possible". The council also criticised the Minister fo
08/04/2008
Convenience shop and supermarket retailer Londis has announced it is strengthening its nationwide forecourt presence following an agreement with Texoil. This forecourt presence will provide an estimated annualised retail turnover of €50 million and create a total of 300 new jobs. The agreement wi
08/04/2008
Donnelly CCT, a consultancy specialising in the purchasing of materials and the delivery of in house training for the construction industry in Ireland, has announced that their annual construction service is now on-line. The firm provides construction training and consultancy services to over 65% o
08/04/2008
Mivan, the Antrim-based specialist construction company has won three major contracts totalling around £10m for leading UK contractors in London. The largest of the three projects is the lobby and toilet fit-out contract for Canary Wharf Contractors Ltd. The 400,000 ft sq purpose built and designed
08/04/2008
An Irish oil and gas exploration and development company, whose shares are listed in London (AIM) and Dublin (IEX), has announced that Providence and its three partners have made a new non-operated gas discovery on Galveston Island in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. It is planned that this new field, whic
07/04/2008
An Bord Pleanála have rejected several major elements of Arnotts' proposed 'Northern Quarter' development, in a decision that could send plans back to the drawing board. The planning authority has told Arnotts that it must dramatically reduce building height and car parking provision and include mo
07/04/2008
Thousands of construction jobs are at risk in Northern Ireland as a result of a downturn in building activity. Following substantial job losses in the Republic, John Armstrong, Managing Director of the Construction Employers Federation Northern Ireland (CEFNI) said that many of his members had alre
07/04/2008
Construction of a new biopharmaceutical factory began today as part of a €400 million investment by Eli Lilly. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin officiated at the foundation-laying ceremony of the new drug manufacturing facility at its premises in Dunderrow, Kinsale.
07/04/2008
'Rip-Off Republic' TV host, Eddie Hobbs, has censured the government for not closing a loophole used by developers. According to Mr Hobbs, tax avoidance schemes are used by developers to dodge over to €400 million in stamp duty per year. Mr Hobbs referred to a revenue report, submitted to the Depa
07/04/2008
The M3 motorway linking Dublin with the North East, is one of the most expensive road-building projects in the Republic, it has emerged today. The Independent has revealed this morning that almost €120 million has been spent on procuring land to build the controversial carriageway. Meath County Co
07/04/2008
Northern Ireland Minister for Social Development Margaret Ritchie has emphasised that housing will remain her "first and foremost priority". Speaking at a public meeting in Maghera to discuss affordable housing, the Minister said that her New Housing Agenda was now gaining momentum. Ms Ritchie sai
07/04/2008
A new state-of-the-art sports centre at Trinity College Dublin was officially opened by the Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, Séamus Brennan today. The €30 million building houses a 25-metre, 6-lane swimming pool, a climbing wall, two sports halls as well as other top class indoor sports facilit
07/04/2008
A group of architecture and design students from the University of Ulster (UUJ) have been commissioned by Newtownabbey Town Centre Management Company to redesign Glengormley town centre. The 20 masters students are to lend their expertise to the 'Glengormley 2012' consultation and design partnershi
07/04/2008
This month's launch of a world-leading Strangford Lough-based tital power generation project has been quickly followed by news of another initiative. UK Secretary of State for Energy, John Hutton, has granted planning permission for a prototype tidal stream generator to be tested in the Humber Estu
07/04/2008
Belfast's iconic hotel, The Europa has been blasted - and not by the IRA - for its lack of disabled facilities. Disabled delegates at a conference held in the Europa have said they are disgusted by the lack of facilities and access for wheelchair users. They have condemned the lack of grab rails
04/04/2008
The Pensions Ombudsman Paul Kenny has welcomed the news that the Pensions Board had secured a High Court Order against a construction firm which had failed to pay contributions due to a pension scheme for its workers. He said he was fed up of complaints against employers who fail to honour their ob
04/04/2008
Developers should contribute more towards the cost of local amenities, the Irish Institute of Planning (IPI) urged today. At the National Planning Conference in Westport, Co Mayo the IPI called for an urgent revision of the system of contributions, given towards public facilities and infrastructur
04/04/2008
Lisburn is a city without a hotel, but not for much longer it seems, as two hotels are in the pipeline for the area. The Planning Service has granted the go-ahead to Whitbread Plc for a new £10m hotel in the Co Down city. The fate of the proposed Premier Inn on the Hillsborough Road, will be decid
04/04/2008
Industrial rents in Dublin rose by twice the European average in 2007, propelling Dublin up the league table of most expensive locations, according to a new survey by estate agents Lisney, Cushman and Wakefield. The report, 'Industrial Space Across the World 2008' - a comparison of prime locations
04/04/2008
First time buyers are better off buying than renting in the current market, according to the latest EBS/DKM Affordability Index. Published by Irish Property Buyer magazine the index considers the cost effectiveness of renting versus buying, for the average first time buyer. The results of this analy
04/04/2008
Navan, Co Meath is to be recommended as the site for the new regional hospital for the northeast, it emerged today. The Health Service Executive is to receive a report from the consultants appointed to carry out a study on the location of the hospital today. It is believed that Navan has won out i
04/04/2008
A Fine Gael Front Bencher has called on the government to honour the commitment given to Cork Airport and reject the Cassells report. The TD for Cork South Central, Simon Coveney, has spoken out over the controversial report, claiming the government is reneging on their promise that Cork Airport wo
04/04/2008
Irish house prices are to drop by 6% in 2008 and are unlikely to recover next year, according to multi-national ratings agency Standard & Poors. In a recent report, Standard & Poors Economist Jean-Michel Six predicted that the current downturn in the housing market will continue well into 2009. He
04/04/2008
Northern Ireland Energy Minister Nigel Dodds has welcomed the opening of Northern Ireland's latest wind farm at Lough Hill. The six turbine development is owned by Renewable Energy Systems (RES) and has a capacity of 7.8MW which is sufficient to provide enough electricity to power 4,400 homes. RES
04/04/2008
Northern Ireland Culture Minister, Edwin Poots has hosted a reception in Belfast for the UK Architecture and Built Environment bodies in advance of their formal meeting at Linen Hall Library. Speaking at the reception, Minister Poots said: "I welcome this opportunity to acknowledge the UK design bo
03/04/2008
Trouble-shooter and former trade union leader Peter Cassells has recommended that Cork Airport should pay a €100 million debt to end a dispute with Dublin Airport. Mr Cassells had been asked to mediate in a row between Dublin Airport and Cork Airport over who should pay the €220m bill for the new t
03/04/2008
A major regeneration project in east Belfast - expected to cost £20m overall - is set to involve a state-of-art facility which will house the long established East Belfast Mission's existing services such as its homeless hostel, employment programs, social and economic projects and elderly services.
03/04/2008
Bowen- Somague JV, an Irish/Portuguese partnership, has been award the National Roads Authority (NRA) contract to design and build the N7 Castletown to Nenagh dual carriageway. The work, part of the National Development Plan, will include a 36km dual carriageway with over bridges, underpasses and c
03/04/2008
The oral hearing into the Port of Cork's proposals to build a new container facility at Ringaskiddy began yesterday. The planning appeals board received more than 500 submissions against the highly controversial plans to move the port's city operations. Waterford Port's submission said the plans
03/04/2008
As controversy continues to plague the proposed development of as multi-sports centre at the former Maze Prison site, ambitious plans are being kicked off for a sporting ground in Newtownabbey. The 4,000-seater ground is to be the centrepiece of a groundbreaking, cross-community proposal from both
03/04/2008
The National Roads Authority (NRA) may hold up the N5 Westport to Bohola road if they are not happy with the issue of rezoned land in the new Castlebar town plan. According to the Mayo News, County Engineer Joe Beirne said the NRA were concerned with rezoning issues and the route selection of the n
03/04/2008
Developers in Antrim have hit a dead end over proposals to build a range of leisure and to enlarge existing hotel facilities. The revamp, in the Junction One shopping centre area of Antrim has been denied by planners, it was revealed at a recent meeting of Antrim Borough Council. Scottish company,
03/04/2008
The boom years are at an end for the Province's housing market. An expert now says that Northern Ireland is likely to see falling prices for up to three years. The leading economist, University of Ulster academic Mike Smyth spoke out amid fresh evidence of the credit crisis, with UK mortgage appro
03/04/2008
The largest service station in Ireland was officially opened today by the Minster for Transport, Noel Dempsey. The €7m station, which is four times larger than a typical Irish service station, is owned by Topaz Ireland and located at the gateway to Dublin Port. Speaking at the opening ceremony, th
03/04/2008
Two Co Down companies were fined £500 each yesterday at Castlereagh Magistrates' Court for waste disposal offences. TJ Shields and Sons, a civil engineering company of Drumgavlin Road, Ballynahinch, was fined £500 plus £79 costs. The company pleaded guilty to one charge of treating, keeping, and di
02/04/2008
Campaigners against the M3 construction work, near the Hill of Tara, brought their campaign to the European Parliament yesterday. Members of the Meath Archaeological and Historical Society called on the European Commission to carry out an independent inquiry into the construction of the motorway.
02/04/2008
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has this morning announced that he will be resigning as Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader next month. He is to leave office on 6 May. The announcement has come just a day after the Premier's lawyers made inroads in limiting the work of a public inquiry probing planning corrupt
02/04/2008
A planning application was lodged yesterday for a £90 million mixed used development in a rundown area of north Belfast. The Big Picture Development project is to be situated on a neglected patch - designated for development in the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan - between Great George's Str
02/04/2008
Ferrovial is in talks with JP Morgan Asset Management to sell George Best Belfast City Airport. The negotiations are part of the Spanish group's efforts to reduce its debt load of over €30 billion. Belfast City Airport said that "Belfast City Airport is not currently on the market" and neither Fer
02/04/2008
Plans for what would be the largest housing scheme in Co Clare have been lodged by Ennis firm Crystal Partners. The €200 million proposal, which will ultimately deliver 700 new homes, aims to create a new suburb of Ennis. The 95-acre site covers 75% of the Gaurus area, Eastern Ennis. The first pha
02/04/2008
The Office of Public Works is to sell off 3.29 acres of the remaining land that formed part of UCD veterinary farm at Rathmichael, Co Dublin. No price has been quoted for the land, on sale with Lisney, which backs onto the M11 at Ballybride Road. However, reports suggest that the land could expect
02/04/2008
Roads Minister, Conor Murphy today cut the first sod for the new £7 million A20 Southern Distributor Road which will link three important radial routes in Newtownards. Work on the 2.7km road, to link Portaferry Road, Comber Road and Belfast Road, is expected to take approximately 12 months to compl
02/04/2008
Biotechnology company Genzyme Corp yesterday announced plans to expand its manufacturing and research facilities in Ireland. The Irish Government has said it will offer confidential assistance to subsidize the planned €130 million expansion of Genzyme's operations in the southeast city of Waterford
02/04/2008
A Belfast skip firm was yesterday fined £2,500 for waste offences. Mr Samuel Maginty, trading as A1 Skips was fined £2,500 (plus £103 costs) after pleading guilty to one charge of treating, keeping, and disposing of waste at a site on the junction of the Belfast Road and Ballyhill Road at Nutts Cor
02/04/2008
A developer has parked a caravan at the entrance of a golf course in Cork and has vowed not to move until he has been paid nearly €700,000 in court awarded fees, the Irish Times has reported. Mel Flanagan of Irish Golf Design has said he will not move from the Blarney Golf Resort until he has been
01/04/2008
Planning permission has been granted for the construction of a €500m natural gas terminal between Tarbert and Ballylongford on the Shannon Estuary. The decision by An Bord Pleanála follows an eight-day hearing involving the promoters and objectors to the project. Shannon LNG plans to build a lique
01/04/2008
The average national price of a second-hand house fell by 1.9% during the first quarter of 2008, according to estate agents Sherry FitzGerald. The figures - published today - reveal a slight reprieve in the rate of price decline when compared to a price reduction of 2.4% in the final quarter of 200
01/04/2008
Senior representatives from some of the world’s largest natural resources and engineering contracting companies will be in Ireland later this month for a major health, safety & environment (HSE) conference. The conference is to be hosted by the Kentz Group, the Clonmel-based engineers and consultan
01/04/2008
A troubled Co Dublin building firm has been ordered by the High Court to pay contributions of more than €180,000 into a pension fund for workers. Following a landmark application by the Irish Pensions Board, Ms Justice Laffoy ordered Limestone Construction to pay the owed money to the Construction
01/04/2008
Prime industrial zoned land across Ireland continues to retain its value despite the recent drop in development land values. According to a new report from CBRE, the buoyancy of industrial zoned land is due to a strong level of occupier demand. Garrett McClean, from CBRE's Industrial Department,
01/04/2008
HSE West had submitted a planning application to Galway County Council for a 45-bed rehab facility on the site of Merlin Park University Hospital. The proposed 45-bed rehab building will have two pre-discharge apartments and therapy suites for physio, hydro, occupational, speech and language therap
01/04/2008
Northern Ireland Energy Holdings Limited (NIEH) is set to purchase the natural gas transmission business and assets of Phoenix Natural Gas in a deal worth £99.3 million (€125m). The newly acquired company will be renamed Belfast Gas Transmission Limited. The acquisition has been financed with a b
01/04/2008
Up to 900 jobs could be created at Dublin Airport with the planned €130m development of a four star hotel and multi-storey car park linked directly to the airport's new passenger terminal T2. About 550 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the project and when opened, the new hotel
01/04/2008
There was disappointment for the NI Environment Minister Arlene Foster this week when it was revealed that her own constituency of County Fermanagh was less enthusiastic about making 'green' choices in the home. The DUP MLA had previously welcomed the publication of the UK Government's response to
01/04/2008
Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, today issued revised policy and guidance for those planning to alter or extend their homes. The Minister said: "Many of us at some time in our lives will either extend or alter our homes or live beside someone who will. That is why it is importa
