Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for January 2008
31/01/2008
Construction staff involved in the renovation of a Dublin hotel have held a protest over alleged "ongoing exploitation and abuse of workers". The Building and Allied Trades Union (BATU) said some of its members working on the Westbury Hotel refurbishment have suffered underpayment, illegal deductio
31/01/2008
Government figures have shown the level of building activity is better than expected given the reductions in house prices throughout the year. Over 78,000 new houses and apartments were built around Ireland last year. The majority of the new homes built were in the greater Dublin area, with 17,000
31/01/2008
A Tralee-based company that provides web-based workplace management solutions to the construction, retail and energy sectors is to invest €1.2m to accelerate international growth. The move will create 26 new high-value positions at the company over the next two years. The Minister for Enterprise,
31/01/2008
Northern Ireland Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced a Masterplan to examine the issues facing Carrickfergus, during a visit to the town. In recognising the many unique attributes including the castle, maritime and seafront areas, Minister Ritchie, said: “What needs to be don
31/01/2008
Skerries Point, North Dublin's newest commercial hub, is to open soon according to property developer Markland Holdings. The €35m commercial centre consists of 6,339 square metres in eight separate units. There will be a supermarket on the ground floor, offices, medical facilities and restaurants
31/01/2008
Economy Minister Nigel Dodds recognised the commitment of Indian companies in Northern Ireland before setting off on a trade and investment mission. Minister Dodds visited the local offices of Indian investors Firstsource and HCL BPO Services (NI) Limited this week. At HCL the Minister congratulate
31/01/2008
CRH plc, the Irish-based international building materials group, has announced that it has signed an agreement with Shanghai-listed Jilin Yatai Group wherby CRH will acquire a 26% shareholding in Jilin Yatai Group’s cement operations and partly finance a doubling of production capacity, for a total
31/01/2008
Margaret Ritchie, Northern Ireland Social Development Minister, visited the 'Long Streets' area of the New Lodge, north Belfast, this week to meet with local Homeowners’ Committee representatives. After undertaking a short tour of the area the Minister discussed housing issues with the committee. T
30/01/2008
Those responsible for the more 'traditional' methods of public transport in Belfast are said to be outraged by outline proposals for a light railway system in the city. Translink's Metro bus drivers have been shocked by the proposal and are to now hold a ballot on possible strike action in protest
30/01/2008
Plans for the first new town to be built in Ireland in over a century have been submitted. Adamstown, which will be build by developer Castlehorn Construction, will cost an estimated €500m. The new town will house a population of 30,000 on a 24-acre site in West Dublin and will be bigger than Dund
30/01/2008
Charlie McCreevy has launched Irish Concrete Federation Guidelines on Fire Protection & Safety and Energy Efficient Buildings The European Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services, Mr McCreevy launched two major technical guideline documents for the Irish Concrete Federation (ICF) in the E
30/01/2008
Glen Builders Limited, of Drumman Glen, Loughmacrory, Co Tyrone, was convicted at Omagh Magistrates' Court yesterday for failing to comply with a Planning Notice. The Magistrate fined the firm £400 with costs of £85. The notice required the improvement of a public road to be completed in accordanc
30/01/2008
Environment Minister Arlene Foster today announced the appointment of Patrick Casement as Chairman of the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside. The competition was carried out in accordance with the Office of the Commission for Pubic Appointments in Northern Ireland (OCPANI) Code of
30/01/2008
The Irish Government has allocated CLÁR top-up funding of €22,895 to the Cloncoul Group Water Scheme near Ennistymon. Minister of State Tony Killeen welcomed the allocation and described it as an important contributory factor to the revitalisation of the rural North Clare townland. He explained: "
30/01/2008
Failte Ireland chief executive Shaun Quinn has announced a €16m investment on Irish tourism. The biggest Discover Ireland Campaign yet is to be launched with the aim of encouraging Irish people to holiday at home. Investments will be made on tourism infrastructure, new projects and attractions.
30/01/2008
Twelve hotels from across Northern Ireland are gearing up for increased export business thanks to their participation in a new Invest Northern Ireland initiative. The Invest NI Visa Programme is specifically targeted at the hotel industry and aims to help hotels further improve service capabilities
29/01/2008
The Department for Employment and Learning has begun its search for the 'Apprentice of the Year 2008'. The competition, now in its seventh year, is open to 16–24 year olds and aims to recognise the talent, excellence and determination of local apprentices. It has become the highlight of the year fo
29/01/2008
The Assembly's Environment Minister Arlene Foster has now refused an application for a planned visitors' centre at the Giant's Causeway. The initiative was already controversial, as last year, private developer Seymour Sweeney was linked to Ian Paisley Jr. Mr Sweeney wanted to build the privately
29/01/2008
The George Best Memorial Trust today announced that local urban regeneration developer, Doug Elliott, has agreed to fund and manage the delivery of a lasting memorial to the football legend in Belfast city centre. The Trust, which was set up, with support from Belfast City Council, just under a yea
29/01/2008
A light-rail system would be 'very beneficial' to Belfast, Northern Ireland Minister for Regional Development Conor Murphy has announced. Speaking at a meeting with local traders in west Belfast, he said he hopes work on a new light-rail system will begin before he leaves office. The minister also
29/01/2008
The Department for Social Development has welcomed the High Court's ruling on Queen's Quay. Sheridian Millenium Ltd had applied to the court to quash the Department's decision to end its status as preferred developer for the site. The application was dismissed on all grounds. The court ruling reco
29/01/2008
Proposal's to introduce a holiday home tax in Donegal have been adjourned. While Councillor Bernard McGuinness's motion received cross party support it has been adjourned until next week's council meeting to allow for further debate. Meanwhile Donegal County Council's provision in the County Devel
29/01/2008
The Assembly's First Minister Dr Ian Paisley and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, have outlined their three year Programme for Government and multi billion pound Investment Strategy to the Northern Ireland Assembly. The Programme for Government and Investment Strategy, which set out the Exe
29/01/2008
Down District Council are cracking down on blue bin contamination. It is rare, but not unheard of that people hide bags of black bin rubbish in their bins, covering the top with newspapers. The Council goes to tender to find a company to take the blue bin material, sort it, and pass it on for proc
28/01/2008
A Belfast developer has lost out on a multi million pound deal and been criticised by a judge after trying to overturn a government department decision. Sheridan Millennium failed to reverse the Department of Social Development's (DSD) decision to remove the company's 'preferred developer' status
28/01/2008
Three men and a youth have appeared in Belfast's Magistrates Court charged with criminal damage and obstructing police. The court heard that the accused scaled a large crane on a construction site at Clarence Street West on Sunday causing £10,000 of damage. Police had to cordon off several street
28/01/2008
Irish building firm McInerney Holdings have failed to meet its expected number of completions in 2007, it has been revealed. The news comes as challenging market conditions hit the business. Private house completions fell from 1,025 in 2006 to 597 last year. Business completions were also down to 3
28/01/2008
Donegal County Council are meeting today to discuss taxing holiday homes. A motion has been tabled which could lead to a levy of €500 being introduced. At present holiday homeowners mostly from the North, who spend weekends and much of the summer at a second home in Donegal do not contribute towar
28/01/2008
A century of aerospace innovation signals the way forward to achieve sustained economic growth for Northern Ireland. Hosting a reception in Brussels, to celebrate 100 years of aerospace innovation in Northern Ireland, the Assembly's Economy Minister Nigel Dodds told attendees: "Your investment to i
28/01/2008
Northern Ireland Roads Minister Conor Murphy has today congratulated M1/M2 Westlink Contractors Highway Management Construction (HMC) for reaching a significant milestone with a breakthrough of the underpass at Broadway in west Belfast. The breakthrough means HMC are ahead of programme and there ar
28/01/2008
Over recent months management consultancy firm Healy Kelly Turner & Townsend has secured several high profile projects wins for the provision of Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) consultancy in its Management Consultancy Unit. Devondale Ltd at Bird Avenue in Clonskeagh, Co Dublin has appoint
28/01/2008
The Assembly's Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy, has welcomed the publication of the Independent Water Review Panel's second report. The report contains the panel's recommendations for the second and final part of the independent review into water and sewerage services. Strand one
25/01/2008
Falling bricks have killed a 61-year-old man on a building site in Co Tyrone. The incident happened at a house under construction on a building site in Main Street in Fintona, County Tyrone shortly after 9am on Friday. Emergency services treated the man at the scene but he was pronounced dead a sh
25/01/2008
Plans to demolish the home of Gustav Wolff, of Harland and Wolff shipbuilding fame, in order to build five different apartment blocks has sparked outrage amongst Sydenham residents. The home of Gustav, who headed up the shipyard that built the Titanic, lived on an estate called the Den along the Pa
25/01/2008
Opposition is growing to the proposed location for a new cemetery for the greater Belfast area. Castlereagh councillors have united against Belfast City Council's plans to take extra land in their borough because its current cemetery space is swiftly declining. It is looking at a site on the Lisle
25/01/2008
A man has appeared at Omagh Magistrates Court, convicted of not complying with two Enforcement Notices. Mr Enda McCallan, of 3b Minadinna Road, Carrickmore was fined £10,000 plus £170 costs on 15 January. The two Enforcement Notices required the demolition of a builders shed at lands adjacent to h
25/01/2008
Sligo residents are furious at Westlife singer Shane Filan's plans to build a block of apartments in Rathedmond. Shafin Developments co-owned by Shane and his brother Finbarr have already gained planning permission from Sligo Borough Council for 61 apartments and 102 parking spaces at Knappagh Road
25/01/2008
Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy, has welcomed the findings of a pilot customer survey carried out on behalf of his Department’s Roads Service, for traffic calming schemes implemented in its Eastern and Southern Roads Divisions. Commenting on the survey, the Minister said: "Roads Servic
25/01/2008
HSS Hire Ireland has taken delivery of 23 Kubota mini excavators, making them the largest hirer of the market-leading machines in Ireland, with a total of 48 machines. The 1.7 tonne KX41-3V and 2.8 tonne KX71-3 models are available for hire through the company’s nationwide network of 24 branches, p
24/01/2008
A top advisor is being sent by US billionaire Donald Trump to Northern Ireland to research potential investment opportunities, it has emerged. George Sorial, Trump’s Managing Director for International Development is due to visit four locations which could be possible sites for a billion-pound golf
24/01/2008
A €400m masterplan for the rejuvenation of one of Ireland's fastest growing towns has been drafted and will be formally launched at a public meeting next week. The Masterplan seeks to guide and facilitate the future development of 90 acres of land in the centre of Shannon Town, as identified in the
24/01/2008
Start-ups in the Irish construction and property sector plunged by approximately 25% last year as a result of changes in the economic climate. According to the latest Bank of Ireland start-up barometer construction and property start-ups dropped to 1,714 and 1,804, however they remained the most p
24/01/2008
Irish Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has announced a new renewable energy grant scheme. From today, businesses, schools and hospitals can receive grants for the installation of biomass-fuelled and anaerobic digestion Combined Heat and Power Units (CHP). The scheme is set to encourage industry and comme
24/01/2008
An investment syndicate, assembled by accountancy firm KPMG, has made a deal worth €116m with supermarket chain Tesco. The syndicate have bought the distribution warehouse that has just been built for Tesco at Donabate, Co.Dublin. The warehouse which covers 18 acres and cost €80m to build will be
24/01/2008
Seventeen community organisations in Belfast are to benefit from more than £300,000 funding from Belfast City Council. The money will enable local groups to engage in regeneration and economic development activities within their own areas. A variety of projects will be delivered focusing on commun
24/01/2008
The contract to build a new headquarters for Wexford County Council at Carriglawn, Newtown Road, Wexford, has been signed between Wexford County Council and Pierse Contracting. The new County Buildings will comprise a landmark 10,500 sq m building which will house all of the County Council departme
24/01/2008
Northern Ireland Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has marked the achievements of Strabane 2000 and welcomed the organisations proposals for the continuing regeneration of the town. Established in 1997 by Strabane District Council, the Strabane Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the
23/01/2008
Plans are in place for the construction of a huge bio-fuel plant in County Carlow. Work on the €200m bio-refinery – which would produce 300 million litres of bioethanol a year – is expected to begin later this year. The proposal by Sustainable Industries Ireland will also create around 200 job opp
23/01/2008
Northern Ireland is leading the way in developing new technologies to help people with chronic conditions live independently at home. Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and Economy Minister Nigel Dodds have announced the establishment of a 'European Centre for Connected Health' in Northern Ireland a
23/01/2008
The Executive's Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy is beginning to make a difference to the lives of people in disadvantaged areas, is the message from Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie. The Minister made her comments today as she visited the Kinder Kids Centre which is run by the Ashton Com
23/01/2008
Clare County Council, Galway County Council, North Tipperary County Council and Shannon Development are conducting a study that will formulate a strategy for the provision of marina and tourism related developments along the shoreline of Lough Derg. The study will focus on identifying existing faci
23/01/2008
Powerscreen, the Dungannon world leader in the field of screening equipment for the quarrying industry recently hosted their world dealer conference with sister company Terex Pegson, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Over three hundred dealers and customers travelled from across the globe to attend th
23/01/2008
Dáil Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has welcomed the decision of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to respond to his call to hold a series of open discussions on electricity transmission infrastructure over the coming weeks. Chair of the Committee John Cregan, has
23/01/2008
Larne-based Intermatic Manufacturing has won a series of contracts to supply its fresh candy floss vending system to major restaurant/entertainment centre operators in the US. Among Intermatic’s new customers is Dave and Buster’s, an operator of around 60 upmarket entertainment complexes which is he
23/01/2008
Cork based construction company The Bowen Group has announced it will build the Tyndall National Institute's new €26m laboratory building at University College, Cork. The building and civil engineering contractors will construct the lab, which will be a key element in the growth of the Institute.
22/01/2008
The Irish division of the plumbing and heating distributer Wolseley said its pretax profit for the five-month period to the end of December 2007 may have dropped by a third. The company have been deeply affected by the housing recession in the US. Shares in the company hit a five year low on the L
22/01/2008
A County Down construction company has been heavily fined £40,000 after pleading guilty to a breach of health and safety legislation. Seapark Construction 2002 Ltd were investigated following an incident where a 23-year-old labourer, Mr Robinson was seriously injured as a result of a fall when carr
22/01/2008
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released the latest report on dioxin levels in the Irish environment (based on the levels in cows' milk in a 2006 survey). The report shows that all of the samples had levels well below the relevant EU limit. The report showed all levels recorded compar
22/01/2008
The NI Assembly's first ever Budget has been formally announced. After months of debate – not all of it positive – following the draft budget's publication last year, Finance Minister Peter Robinson has now delivered the final version. As expected, more than £200m has been allocated to build well
22/01/2008
Cavehill Country Park is to get a £70,000 facelift. The work to upgrade paths and make access easier for the 140,000 visitors who visit the park annually is expected to begin this week and will take approximately three months. Belfast City Council is looking for volunteers to help complete the imp
22/01/2008
Plans to regenerate Limerick's most deprived suburbs must involve full consultation with communities according to the Dáil's Labour Party. The Government has proposed that the Moyross, Southll and Ballinarcurra Weston estates under go 'radical improvement' as part of a major scheme. Over 2,000 hou
22/01/2008
A long established history of organised swimming in West Limerick was celebrated yesterday with the official opening of Askeaton Pool And Leisure Centre by President of Ireland, Mary McAleese. Developed by Askeaton Pool and Leisure Ltd, a special purpose company consisting of Limerick County Counci
21/01/2008
A €750m major extension of Celbridge town centre in Co Kildare has been proposed by DevonDale Ltd a company controlled by construction and regeneration specialists, the Durkan family. The scheme designed by architects O'Mahony Pike, will include a shopping centre covering 22,000 sq metres, a gym, a
21/01/2008
A Freedom of Information Request (FoI) has revealed that Northern Ireland Water (NIW) spent £400,000 of taxpayers' money on changing their name. The breakdown of figures showed the publicly owned company spent £45,000 on a brand study and creation of corporate identity, £60,000 on project managemen
21/01/2008
Omagh District continues to invest in its recreational facilities with the first phase of redevelopment and upgrading commencing at the Leisure Complex. The £2m project which will see improvements made to the flagship complex. This first phase of the refurbishment includes the construction of a n
21/01/2008
Directors and senior managers of eight leading businesses will be in Saudi Arabia, from January 17-25, to explore trade, technology transfer and investment opportunities on an Invest Northern Ireland trade mission. The delegation will visit Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar and will be lead by Bill McG
21/01/2008
Work on the construction of one of County Clare's largest community crèches has begun in Ennis. Operated by the Clare Family Resource Centre, the €1.5m state of the art facility will cater for up to 85 children. The 5,000 sq ft building will be located on the Watery Road on a site purchased from th
21/01/2008
A private medical group has announced plans to build a new women's, children's and maternity hospital in south Dublin. The new hospital, if approved by the planning authorities, will have the capacity to deal with 3,000 births every year. The Beacon Group is planning to construct the 160-bed facil
21/01/2008
A two and a half year project costing €27m will come into fruition at New Road, Ennis this Wednesday when Clare County Council’s new corporate headquarters opens for business. To facilitate the relocation to Àras Contae an Chlàir, all county councils' offices in Ennis will remain closed to the publ
21/01/2008
The Health and Safety 08 event at Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey on 26 and 27 February - sponsored by DuPont - will host the first of Combilift's Regional Forklift Driver of the Year competitions. The driver competition will be overseen and judged by Mentor Training, one of the UK’s leading provider
18/01/2008
An area of Dublin has been sealed off today due to the threat of a three-storey building in the North Circular Road area collapsing. Dublin City Council was alerted earlier this morning to reported 'movement' inside the old building. It is understood the Council have treated the situation as an em
18/01/2008
Bord Gáis have announced it has signed up its first natural gas customer in Belfast through its subsidiary in Northern Ireland, firmus energy. This is a significant development for Bord Gáis in the implementation of its all-island, dual-fuel strategy. Bord Gáis owns and operates two gas transmissi
18/01/2008
Catalogue store goliaths Argos have been named as the first anchor store for the Lynn Retail Park Development in Mullingar. Lynnpark Developments have sought to make changes to the 10 existing units to make way for the store, which will be the first Argos in the area. The retailers began expressing
18/01/2008
Prospective developers of a €135m power plant planned for Mayo are confident their plans will be met with approval. Mountside properties, who are also 20% stake holders in the 400 MW Tynagh power plant, have put forward the plans in conjunction with Turkish based Gama Construction. Sources close to
18/01/2008
Some of Ireland's most reputable builders are cutting the prices of their new homes in order to boost sales. Abbey's group's Kingscroft group has reportedly instructed agents to cut prices on all five of it's Leinster home sites by around 10%. Albany group's subsidiary Albany Homes has dropped pri
18/01/2008
A £300,000 funding package aimed at encouraging arts, cultural and community events in Belfast's Laganside area has been announced by the Assembly's Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie. This funding covers activities taking place from April 1 2008 – March 31 2009. It will continue the leg
18/01/2008
The Assembly's Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has praised the work that has been done to alleviate fuel poverty and improve the quality of life for some of the most vulnerable people in society. Speaking at the launch of the second Inter-Departmental Group on Fuel Poverty the Ministe
18/01/2008
Residents and commercial customers are being encouraged to recycle their cardboard at the seven recycling centres in the Borough, in order to reduce greenhouse gasses and meet Recycling targets. Describing the card recycling facilities, Jonathan Bell, Chairman of the Council Services Committee said
18/01/2008
Irish based Fusion Building Systems has completed a major deal to acquire Framing Solutions Ltd. based in Derbyshire, UK. As of the 4 January 2008, Fusion Building Systems, a European Leader in pre-insulated Light Gauge Steel Frame buildings, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Framing Soluti
17/01/2008
The Assembly's Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has officially opened a new £5 million drug delivery research facility in Larne. The Warner Chilcott Centre of Excellence in Novel Oral Dosage Forms will undertake leading edge research into innovative oral drug delivery technologies for the development o
17/01/2008
Communities across Belfast are being urged to get creative and design their very own anti-litter ad for their area. Belfast City Council is inviting youth and community groups to sign up to the initiative which is part of its 'Don`t drop it – stop it!' anti-litter campaign. The four winning entrie
17/01/2008
A survey by the FÁS/ESRI has found the level of pessimism in the construction industry has reached depressingly high levels. The survey by the Economic and Social Research Institute found the number of employers in the sector expecting employment levels to fall over the coming months is 42% higher
17/01/2008
The head of Westminster Cathedral has urged people to donate money and contribute to the renovation of the church. The renovation of the 113 central London church will cost around £3m and is expected to take two years when work begins after Easter. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor has urged Catholics and
17/01/2008
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) are campaigning for a task force for student accommodation. They have renewed concerns over the availability and cost of student accommodation, they say the growing gap between the student grant and the cost of renting, particularly in the Dublin area needs to
17/01/2008
The Northern Ireland Independent Trade Association (NIITRA) has spoken out over the decision by retailers Curley's to allow the recent buy out by retailing titan, and FTSE 100 member, Sainsbury's. NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "We understand the difficulties faced by the Kennedy family,
17/01/2008
Northern Ireland's energy sector is at the forefront of Europe and has a key role to play in the region's future economic growth. That was the message from the Assembly's Energy Minister Nigel Dodds, in his foreword in the 2008 Energy Institute Yearbook for Northern Ireland, which was launched on J
17/01/2008
NI Assembly Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew has been visiting one of the largest sawmills in the British Isles, Balcas Timber Ltd near Enniskillen. During the visit she was introduced to the Balcas senior management team and toured their log processing facility, combined heat and power plan
16/01/2008
Privatisation on a grand scale is to proceed with news that Stormont officials are now pushing ahead with a multi-million pound Government buildings sell-off. The development is proceeding after a legal challenge from a consortium called Partenaire, one of the unsuccessful bidders for the propertie
16/01/2008
Invest Northern Ireland has helped Hughes Christensen in Belfast to save £557,000. Hughes Christensen specialises in the manufacture of drill bits which are used to drill for oil and gas throughout the world. Assistance from Invest NI through its Business Improvement Agent (BIA) programme focused
16/01/2008
The Department of Social Development is set to benefit from an extra £50m redistributed from unspent money from government departments. Finance Minister Peter Robinson said 525 applications for home ownership in the province through the co-ownership scheme could be assisted. An extra 900 new socia
16/01/2008
Over a quarter of a million square metres of working space was completed last year according to research from property analysts Linsey. The latest figures show an impressive 130% increase on 2006 during a period of concern for Ireland's construction sector as house building begins to hit a slump.
16/01/2008
Andrew Parish, CEO of Wavebob Ltd, Ireland’s leading wave-energy development company, has hailed the Ocean Energy Initiative launched by Irish Energy Minister Eamon Ryan as the Government's most progressive step to date in wave energy development in Ireland. "As a wave energy world-leader, we belie
16/01/2008
The Assembly's Roads Minister Conor Murphy has welcomed the additional funds for roads maintenance announced as part of the outcome of the December in-year monitoring round. Murphy said: "Up to £75m is to be spent on maintaining roads in the north this year. The additional funding of just over £15
16/01/2008
Bombardier Aerospace Belfast has launched a high profile 'year of celebrations' to mark a century of aviation heritage. At a special ceremony at its Queen’s Island facility, signage celebrating 100 years of aircraft innovation was officially unveiled by the Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise,
16/01/2008
The Irish President, Mary McAleese, will be formally launching proposals for the demolition of every house in the troubled Limerick estate of Moyross during a visit to the area. The move is part of a 'vision document' put forward by the Northside Regeneration agency, and will make way for a series
15/01/2008
180 Housing association tenants in Belfast will have access to high speed services following a trial involving new houses on the Ormeau Road. Economy Minister Nigel Dodd visited the new housing development, on the site of the former North Cricket and Rugby Club, where the homes were part of Departm
15/01/2008
Craigavon-based AJ Power, a specialist in emergency, standby and prime diesel generating systems, has recently clinched a series of export orders worth around £3m from global clients as diverse as international news agencies, and UN peace-keeping operations in Chad, central Africa. AJ Power, which
15/01/2008
A €55m extension to the T1 terminal building at Dublin Airport has been given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanala. The 7,500 square metre extension will be built at the north-western corner of the terminal. More circulation space will be provided for passengers, there will be additional retail space
15/01/2008
A Bangor man has appeared at Newtownards Crown Court to appeal against five charges relating to breaching waste management legislation. Ignatius Geddis, 61, of Belfast Road, Bangor, was appealing against earlier fines which totalled £32,500 and a six month suspended sentence given on 14 December.
15/01/2008
Dublin Airport's Terminal one will be receiving a €55m overhaul after a decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for the project. The extension to Terminal One is part of a €2bn capital development programme to transform the congested Airport over the next 10 years. With over 7,50
15/01/2008
The rapidly cooling housing market may be getting a boost with predictions that house sales in Northern Ireland are set to increase this year - confounding predictions of a slump. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has predicted there will be resurgence in the province's housing ma
15/01/2008
Donegal Deputy Joe McHugh, has launched an online petition for a railway system to be constructed in the Northwest which will eventually be presented to Transport Minister Noel Dempsey. On the 'Donegal Matters' website Deputy Joe McHugh said that a line from Sligo to Derry through Donegal would be
15/01/2008
The Awards for excellence in structural engineering design has opened for entries. As the 40th anniversary of the Structural Awards, this years presentation stands to be one of the most hotly contested such awards throughout the construction industry. Established in 1968, the Structural Awards are
14/01/2008
Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern is to visit an Irish construction project located in the South African legislative capital of Cape Town. Each year, Irish construction workers visit the country for a 'building blitz' where they join construction workers from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and from througho
14/01/2008
A new purpose built ASDA store is due to open in Ballyclare by Easter, it has emerged. The £14m investment at the old McClelland Mart site will have a selling area of 26,000 sq ft. This is almost double the size of the existing store. The outlet, which has operated by ASDA since 2005, will continue
14/01/2008
The biggest housing construction project undertaken by the Ugandan government has been signed by Galway property brothers Luke and Brian Comer. The €200m deal will see the development of 5,000 homes in Uganda. Comner Homes, the brothers' London based company, will redevelop large areas of the citi
14/01/2008
There's to be a phased introduction of new legislation for increased holiday entitlement for Ulster workers. Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey welcomed the Assembly's approval this week of new regulations, which increased Northern Ireland workers' paid leave entitlement – with effect f
14/01/2008
Clare Council has announced a €3m revision of housing grants for the County. The schemes replace the Disabled Persons Grants Scheme and the Essential Repairs Scheme, by increasing grant aid, fast tracking many of the application processes and increasing recoupment from the Department of the Environ
14/01/2008
A state-of-the-art business park for Newtownabbey has been given the go-ahead. On Monday 7 at Newtownabbey Council's Planning Committtee, Invest Northern Ireland's application to create an Industrial Park on 45 acres of the land was passed. The business park will be built at Global Point, Corr's C
14/01/2008
Hewitt Meats in Loughgall has officially opened a new £750,000 expansion at its meat processing plant as part of the company's focus on faster export growth of red meat products. The expansion, which was opened by MEP Jim Nicholson, was welcomed by Maynard Mawhinney, Director of Invest Northern Ire
14/01/2008
Rushin House Caravan Park in Belcoo, Co Fermanagh has been officially opened by Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew. Since opening, the caravan park has proved a popular destination, attracting visitors from all over Ireland, mainland Europe and further afield including the USA, Australia
11/01/2008
A recent hike in Ireland's benefit statistics is thought to be a result of an upturn in construction layoffs. Figures published by the Central Statistics Office showed a startling increase in benefit claims by a seasonally adjusted 2,100, of which 1,900 were men. Overall, the number of males signin
11/01/2008
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has announced the publication of a groundbreaking report on renewable energy and the electricity grid on the island of Ireland. Undertaken by national and international experts, the All-Island Grid Study was commissioned jointly by the Department and the Department of Ente
11/01/2008
The CEO of easyjet has urged the Mayor of Belfast to upgrade transport links to Aldergrove. During a visit to Belfast International Airport, CEO Andy Harrison called for investment in roads and public transport: "If I was the Lord Mayor of Belfast I think I would be directing all investment to Belf
11/01/2008
Northern Ireland Finance Minister Peter Robinson has overturned legislation introduced to tackle climate change. The legislation, introduced by direct rule, was due to be come into play in April this year in an attempt to lower Northern Ireland's carbon footprint. However the Minister today annou
11/01/2008
Dublin City Council has launched a draft Climate Change Strategy for the City aimed at primarily reducing CO2 emissions. The draft strategy is currently on public consultation and the Council is encouraging everyone, householders, people in business and from across all sectors, living and working in
11/01/2008
A man was fined £1,000 at Strabane Magistrates' Court this week for failing to demolish two sheds that he had built without permission. Gordon Forbes of 98 Melmount Road, Strabane, was convicted for not complying with an Enforcement Notice requiring the demolition of two sheds at Bellspark Road, Si
11/01/2008
The 50 year old Hightown Bridge over the M2 at Glengormley will be closed on January 27 in preparation for demolition in February. Orginally it was planned to close the bridge on January 21 but to accommodate local events, this has been delayed for one week. It is expected the bridge will then be c
11/01/2008
What has been described as a new - cleaner - generation of nuclear power stations has been given the formal go-ahead by the government. Business Secretary John Hutton told MPs that nuclear power would help secure the UK's future energy supplies and fight climate change. He said nuclear was "tried
10/01/2008
The £1.7m final phase of the Crescent Link dualling scheme was officially opened today in Derry. This final phase of the road scheme between Kilfennan Link Roundabout and Altnagelvin Roundabout will complete the upgrading of the Crescent Link and now provide a continuous dual carriageway from Altna
10/01/2008
Blackrock International has announced a joint venture with Lagan Developments to build a new retail park in Navan. The 28.8 acre Athboy site will soon be home to a 160,000 square foot development estimated at €70m, which Blackrock believes is in a high profile location. The site will have an extens
10/01/2008
Construction has begun on a new, £600,000 state of the art visitor centre at Belfast Zoo. The new entrance pavilion will include a new souvenir shop, pay-booths and payment systems, a covered walkway for wet weather shelter and a tourist exhibition space focussing on native and non-native wildlife.
10/01/2008
Actual travel times along the M1 Dublin to Border-Belfast corridor will be displayed from Friday January 11 as part of a joint project with the NRA and Northern Ireland Roads Service funded by the EU. As part of the pilot programme Individual Variable Message Signs (VMS) will inform drivers of the
10/01/2008
A Portglenone company is investing £1.7m to develop sales of a new range of fire doors in Great Britain. Essential Designs (NI) Ltd is also planning to move to a new and purpose-built 31,000sq ft factory at Creagh Industrial Estate, Toombridge soon, which is being assisted by Invest Northern Irela
10/01/2008
Planning permission is being sought to turn the vacant apartment block at the Victorian gasometer, Ringsend, Dublin into a 520-bedroom hotel. Developer Liam Carroll aims to make significant changes to the fabric of the protected Alliance building which has lain vacant since 2006. (GK)
10/01/2008
Ireland's Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Tony Killeen has said he is encouraged at the improvement in the results of the Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) 2007 Litter League. He noted that the levels of litter pollution have declined significantly since surveying fir
10/01/2008
Sometimes it is only in times of crisis that we realise how essential good neighbours are. During last years devastating floods, there was much talk of the famous British ‘Blitz Spirit’ returning to towns such as Tewkesbury and Gloucester as neighbours rallied round to help each other in their hour
09/01/2008
The Gaeltacht island of Inis Mór has seen the begining of construction work for a €35 million redevlopment of the island's harbour. Cill Rónáin harbour is one of the primary sources of income for Inis Mór, which is one of the largest Aran Islands. The harbour has suffered greatly in recent years f
09/01/2008
An historic building in Belfast city centre has been saved from demolition by the Department for the Environment, it has emerged. The 'Frames' property, a distinctive triangular building at Little Donegall Street has been 'spot listed' by the Environment and Heritage Service. A Building Preservati
09/01/2008
Bord Gáis met with the local residents, Community Council members and business representatives from the East Cork area to outline specific details of the construction programme for the 400m Bord Gáis Whitegate Independent Power Plant (WIPP). Following earlier information sessions during the plannin
09/01/2008
Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, has hosted a reception for apprentice car painter Jonathan Lloyd. Jonathan, from Newtownabbey, scooped a bronze medal at the recent WorldSkills competition in Shizuoka, Japan. WorldSkills is a gruelling four day event, held every two years, in whi
09/01/2008
A package of measures to be implemented during the replacement of the Hightown Road Bridge over the M2 at Glengormley have been announced by Roads Minister Conor Murphy. Work on the 50 year old Hightown Bridge, which has been assessed as being under strength and in need of replacement, is due to st
09/01/2008
As of the beginning of 2008, Fusion Building Systems, a European leader in pre-insulated Light Gauge Steel Frame buildings, has announced the acquisition of Framing Solutions Ltd. Framing Solutions was formed in 2002 on the back of a joint venture agreement Redrow and Corus UK. Since its formation,
09/01/2008
Economy Minister Nigel Dodds has highlighted the importance of developing European business links when he met the Dutch trade delegation. This is the first delegation lead by Dutch Foreign Trade Minister, Frank Heemskerk, and the Dutch Ambassador to the UK, Pim Waldeck since the restoration of devo
09/01/2008
Invest Northern Ireland is helping international software firm SAP AG embark on a research programme through a £900,000 investment at its local research facility. SAP established a Campus-based Engineering Centre (CEC) at the University of Ulster in February 2006 to take forward leading-edge softwa
09/01/2008
With the festive season officially over, the centrepiece of the city's celebrations has been 'treecycled'. Each year, at the end of the Christmas celebrations, the tree at the front of the City Hall is cut down and sent away to be turned into compost, for use in the city's parks. The lights and ot
08/01/2008
A much needed grant boost for south Belfast's iconic Lyric theatre has been agreed, with more than £1m set to be paid by Belfast City Council. The £1,250,000 - from a £3m fund for cultural development - was voted through by a committee, and has now been agreed by the full council. The old building
08/01/2008
The head of Ireland's Higher Education Authority has reportedly warned that 80,000 construction workers could be facing long-term unemployment due to their lack of education. Tom Boland has warned that tens of thousands of young male workers could face major job problems if the construction sector
08/01/2008
A County Kildare company has been fined £15,000 at Newry Magistrates' Court following a pollution incident during the construction of the North-South gas pipeline in June 2006. An officer found the that the Forkhill River in Co Armagh had been badly polluted, and SICIM Roadbridge Ltd of Tougher Bus
08/01/2008
Funding for the £800,000 regeneration of the Tullycarnet area of East Belfast has been confirmed by Northern Ireland Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie. The proposed Tullycarnet Enterprise Park on the Old Dundonald Road covers a total area of 2.4 acres and upon completion in October 2008
08/01/2008
Construction will start this month on the €35m redevelopment of Cill Rónáin harbour on the Gaeltacht Island of Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. Construction and management consultants Healy Kelly Turner & Townsend is acting as cost manager on the project, with Michael Punch & Partners act
08/01/2008
It's a chilly outlook for Northern Ireland businesses in 2008 as an economist warns of tougher economic conditions in the coming year. The property slowdown that marked the close of 2007 is expected to continue to impact on several professions this year, especially so on the smaller construction c
08/01/2008
With fluctuating fuel bills and the threat to the environment by fossil fuels the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) is operating a £8m initiative to make renewable energy our New Year's resolution in 2008. Over 1,600 private homes across Northern Ireland, ranging from small bung
08/01/2008
Invest Northern Ireland has helped Belfast company Walker Eurosalt to cut its energy costs and reduce its environmental impact, by funding an interest free Carbon Trust loan of £188,000. Walker Eurosalt processes and distributes salt, primarily for animal feeds, animal hide curing, water treatment
07/01/2008
The fall in new builds throughout Ireland could substantially impact on Ireland's council revenue. Developers paid almost €700m to the Republic's councils in planning fees in 2007 and the downward trend in house building will have a huge impact as a major form of revenue used to fund general public
07/01/2008
Ireland's Health and Safety Authority have expressed their "serious concern" over a stark rise in fatalities in the Irish construction sector. Recently announced figures have pushed the Health and Safety Authority into speaking out over the present state of health and safety in the work place in Ir
07/01/2008
Irish builders were ordered to pay more that €150m in back taxes and penalties following an investigation by the Revenue Commissions. The Revenue targeted several companies throughout the construction industry following suspicions that many rogue firms were failing to pay tax. They were particularl
07/01/2008
Dundalk-based company Fitout.ie has been appointed as the main contractor for the design and construction of the dressing room facilities at the RDS to facilitate the arrival of Leinster Rugby at the site. The contract will also include the fit-out of several toilet blocks and restaurants across t
07/01/2008
Irish companies using Enterprise Ireland's Productivity Improvement Fund invested €68m over the past 12 months to remain competitive confirmed Dáil Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin. Enterprise Ireland provided over €23m from the fund which was established to support sma
07/01/2008
A new £700,000 aircraft maintenance, repair and avionics design facility at St Angelo Airport in Enniskillen will go ahead with support from Invest NI. The decision by Surrey based company London Helicopters (LHC) to set up the facility came after research showed a steady increase in the number of
07/01/2008
The proposed £200 million prison being built at Magilligan has been welcomed by East Londonderry DUP MP and MLA Gregory Campbell, and his Assembly DUP colleague George Robinson. Plans for the prison were announced by Security Minister Paul Goggins on Tuesday. In a joint statement the men said: “Wi
07/01/2008
Research and development into more energy efficient lighting, lasers and displays is to be boosted by a £10 million investment from the Government-sponsored Technology Strategy Board. With lighting accounting for 20% of the UK's power consumption, the Technology Strategy Board believes that energy
07/01/2008
Northern Ireland's Land & Property Services (LPS), which includes the former Rate Collection Agency, has issued a warning to householders to be on their guard against bogus callers claiming to represent the organisation. The warning follows an incident in recent days in the Londonderry area. A call
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