Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for March 2008
31/03/2008
Environment Minister Arlene Foster today spelt out details of the future shape of local government. In a statement to the Assembly, the Minister said that the Executive's vision for local government would mean a reduction in the number of councils but these would be responsible for added functions.
31/03/2008
No progress has been made towards the construction of the National Children's Hospital at the Mater Hospital, according to the Archbishop of Dublin Dr Diarmuid Martin. Speaking on RTÉ Radio's 'This Week' programme the Archbishop said that plans have not even made it to the drawing board stage yet.
31/03/2008
Northern Ireland has achieved a world first by installing a multi-million pound water turbine at the mouth of Strangford Lough. Seagen is the first marine turbine to generate renewable, clean energy from tidal waters. Built at Harland & Wolff, the tidal system was installed by in the Lough by MCT.
31/03/2008
Further evidence of the deterioration in the Irish housing market has been revealed today with the publication of the latest monthly statistics from the Central Bank. The figures show that demand for residential mortgages remained weak. The annual increase of 12.3% was well below last year's level
31/03/2008
The Department of Environment has launched an enquiry after apparently 'protected' trees were felled in Co Down. A developer is alleged to have moved onto the site in the 'dead of night' in order to clear the way for a substantial number of apartments to be built. A DoE spokesperson said: "Plannin
31/03/2008
Irish Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley has acknowledged the central role played by local authorities in meeting the challenges posed by Ireland's unprecedented economic and population growth over the last decade. Speaking at the Annual Conference of the Local
31/03/2008
Residents in County Antrim have been recognised by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) as the most committed to making environmentally friendly lifestyle changes around the home. The EST survey also revealed that County Fermanagh residents were least enthusiastic about making green choices in the home.
31/03/2008
Dáil Minister Eamon Ryan today announced the commencement of a four week consultation period on the draft text of the Petroleum Exploration and Extraction (Safety) Bill. Minister Ryan said: "Since 2006, the Commission for Energy Regulation has held responsibility for the safety of processed gas act
31/03/2008
Labour Spokesperson on Housing and Local Government Ciarán Lynch has insisted Housing Minister Batt O'Keeffe bring local authorities to book over their failure to inspect private rented accommodation. Mr Lynch said: "According to the Department's own statistics, in 2006 the most recent year for whi
31/03/2008
Northern Ireland Finance Minister Peter Robinson helped launch a new project at the Hanwood Business Park, Tullycarnet, East Belfast. Mr Robinson was attending a ceremony to mark the laying of the first brick of Phase 2 of the business park project. Speaking at the event he said: "I am pleased tha
28/03/2008
Dublin City Council is to spend up to €8 million in 2008 on improvements to public buildings, footpaths and parks to make them more accessible for disabled users. The improvements are part of a seven-year implementation plan to upgrade all the city's buildings and public spaces to meet the standard
28/03/2008
The Republic's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan has today welcomed news that the Commissioners of Public Works have completed plans regarding the re-development of the former Garda Station in Ballyshannon. It is proposed that the building on the Mall in Ballyshannon would
28/03/2008
The Republic's Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley today officially opened Limerick County Council's newest administrative building and office complex at Lissanalta House in Dooradoyle. The state of the art building accommodates six key local authority services
28/03/2008
The Revenue Commissioners have recently made new Regulations to strengthen the RCT (Relevant Contracts Tax) system with the aim of clearly classifying workers as either directly employed of self-employed contractors. The regulations will come into effect on 1 April 2008, along with a substantially
28/03/2008
Hotelier Tom Moran is to inject €166 million into refurbishing and expanding his chain of Moran's and Bewleys Hotels. In an interview with the Irish Times the businessman revealed plans to spend €10 million immediately on refurbishing the landmark Bewleys in Ballsbridge and approximately €166 milli
28/03/2008
Meath County Council has announced that it has been allocated a €2,760,500 funding package under the 2008 rural water programme. The council intends to spend €1,440,000 to complete the Kilcloon and Kiltale Sewerage Schemes this year. A further €300,000 will be spent on upgrading the Meath Hill Gro
28/03/2008
Property investors and developers will face dramatic changes in VAT on property which will create new tax opportunities and tax traps, according to tax partners at Dublin business law firm William Fry. The Irish VAT on Property Changes will be introduced from 1 July 2008 and are aimed at regulatin
28/03/2008
Northern Ireland has moved a step closer to having the world's first commercial scale tidal energy system. Energy Minister Nigel Dodds has welcomed the arrival of the 80 metre long crane barge, 'RAMBIZ', from Norway, into Belfast's Harland & Wolff shipyard. With a lifting capacity of 3,000 tonnes,
28/03/2008
The talking time seems to be at an end as the three main sporting bodies involved in the proposed Maze stadium plan have jointly rejected an invitation to meet a Stormont committee to hold further discussions on the proposals. The Department of Culture Arts and Leisure committee asked for the meeti
28/03/2008
The Electricity Supply Board (ESB) has announced that the company are to invest €22 billion on electricity infrastructure and renewable energy over the next 12 years. The Board of ESB has approved a Strategic Framework to 2020 that will see major company investment in renewable energy, the halving
27/03/2008
It would be a real disaster if the Titanic were to 'sink again'. That's the reason Belfast City Council is set to investing £10m of ratepayers' money to co-fund a Titanic tourist attraction. The aim is to ensure the £90m Titanic Signature Project will be built by 2012 - after it struggled to secur
27/03/2008
Irish economy growth will dip to 3% this year compared to growth of 5.3% in 2007 and 4% in 2009, according to Bank of Ireland's Quarterly Economic Outlook published yesterday. Chief Economist of the Bank of Ireland, Dr Dan McLaughlin said that the driving force behind this round of 'cyclical slowdo
27/03/2008
A proposed housing development with over 300 new houses has been given the go-ahead for Hollystown, Dublin 15. Fingal County Council have granted planning permission to LM Dvelopment's Donal Caulfield for the housing estate on a 67-acre site at Hollywoodrath at the junction of Church Road and Rotoa
27/03/2008
Shannon Development is lodging a planning application this week with Kerry County Council for a new 2,500 m2 office building at Kerry Technology Park (KTP), Tralee. If successful this will be the third Shannon Development building at KTP and will comprise self-contained office suites ranging from
27/03/2008
A normally peaceful part of the north Down 'Gold Coast' is 'up in arms' to oppose a controversial planning application. A resubmitted bid seeking permission to build apartment blocks and town houses in one of Northern Ireland's most historic villages has sparked fresh outrage. Last year, scores of
27/03/2008
House prices have fallen 1.5% in the first two months of this year according to the latest edition of the Permanent TSB and ESRI House Price Index. Average national house prices fell by a further 0.8% in February following a similar reduction of 0.7% in January. The figures indicate some easing in
27/03/2008
Fans used to clean the air in Dublin Port Tunnel are to be replaced at a cost of €850,000, after just one year. The contractor is to pay to replace the turbo-jet fans but has denied any responsibility for a host of other faults - including the €30 million Scada electronics management system that is
27/03/2008
Meath County Council have outlined their plans for the Ratoath Outer Relief Road which will link the R155 Ratoath to Fairyhouse Road to the R125 Ratoath to Ashbourne Road. The work, in the townlands of Jamestown and Raystown, is consistent with the objectives of the Meath County Development Plan 20
27/03/2008
Officials at the Department of Social Development have insisted that Minister Margaret Ritchie's plans for more social and affordable housing remain on course. Concerns were raised to the DSD yesterday as news emerged that 450 jobs are to go at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive over the next
27/03/2008
A tax loophole used by developers is costing the exchequer more than €250 million a year. The loophole - which is used in 40% of all land deals - enables developers to avoid paying stamp duty through a series of financial manoeuvres when purchasing. The technicality, Known as the "s.110" arrangeme
27/03/2008
A new 'iconic' structure planned for Belfast will reflect a growing European influence on the city, a leading architect claimed today. Standing 14 storeys high, the multi-million pound sail-like building has been aptly christened 'The Boat'. Located at Customs House Square, it is due for completion
26/03/2008
A job's boost from a multi-million development in the rural town of Antrim has been welcomed. The £5 million investment, which has created a major extension onto the Castle Centre and the re-branding of the original outlet as Castle Mall, has seen significant numbers of new job opportunities create
26/03/2008
The cost of buying a home in Northern Ireland is escalating fast with mortgage debt rising faster than anywhere else in the UK. The news comes as the property market begins to feel the full effects of the international credit crunch and threatens to spell financial heartache for thousands of Ulster
26/03/2008
A storm is brewing over news that the NI Housing Executive has said 450 jobs will go over the next three years in a bid to save money. The trade union, Nipsa claims that 60 temporary staff have already been dismissed in recent weeks and the union is threatening strike action. However, in a stateme
26/03/2008
Irish utility group NTR has entered into negotiations with a US energy company in a bid to enter the solar energy sector for the first time. The Irish Independent has reported that NTR is holding talks with Arizona-headquartered Stirling Energy Systems, which has been working with a US government-s
26/03/2008
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced funding of £5.4m towards transforming a two acre site on the Lower Newtownards Road. During today's visit to the East Belfast Mission site, the Minister met with officials and representatives of the Skainos Project to see for herself the
26/03/2008
Rural Development Minister Michelle Gildernew has announced her intention to proceed with delivery of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013 using the current seven council clusters, despite announcing on 13 March that the 26 local councils will be reduced to 11 as part of the Review of Pub
26/03/2008
Pectel Group, a leading asbestos removal company, has signed an exclusive license agreement in the UK and Ireland, with US market leading waste management technology developer, ARI Technologies Inc, for their Thermochemical Conversion Technology. This innovative technology, invented by ARI Techno
26/03/2008
The decision by Dublin City Council to grant full planning permission for the redevelopment of a former Section 23 apartment block into an office block creates a worrying and unsettling precedent for other Section 23 areas, according to Labour Deputy for Dublin South Central Mary Upton. Dublin City
26/03/2008
The Government has been urged to put in place training programmes to retrain workers who lose their jobs in the current phase of economic slowdown. Senator Alex White, Seanad Group Leader and Labour spokesperson called for the action following the publication yesterday of a report from religious or
26/03/2008
An investigation into an attempt to rezone 400 acres in Dungarvan, Co Waterford does not concern any serving council member or official, it has emerged today. Hitting back at recent reports surrounding the bid to change the county development plan, Chairman Billy Kyne and county manager Ray O'Dwyer
21/03/2008
Two men have died and another has been injured after two lorries collided on the A5 between Omagh and Newtownstewart yesterday. The crash happened close to the Mellon Country Inn at 1530 GMT on Thursday. Shane Caldwell, 20, from Strabane died along with 26-year-old Zoltan Szabo, who had been livin
21/03/2008
Figures released by the Central Statistics Agency (CSO) yesterday revealed a considerable economic slowdown during the final quarter of last year. The domestic economy - excluding trade - shrank in the last three months of 2007 as a direct result of the drop in house building. The CSO figures show
21/03/2008
Department for Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced a £1.8 million Public Realm scheme for Dungannon town centre. As the first phase in a longer term programme, the £1.8 million will be spent in the Market Square and Castle Hill areas of the town. Minister Ritchie said: "I
21/03/2008
According to a recent survey conducted upon the request of one of Ireland's leading construction insurance brokers, Keystone Insurance, market trends in construction insurance have significantly changed over the last few years. The company claims today's customers are looking for customised coverag
21/03/2008
The controversial Galway City Outer Bypass will be delayed indefinitely if an appeal against planning permission is lodged with the European Commission. Following the recent issue of compulsory purchase orders, the long awaited bypass looked set to be realised after almost a decade of uncertainty.
21/03/2008
Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy officially opened the new £4 million Skeoge Link Road in Derry yesterday. The new two kilometre dual carriageway completes the orbital route between Buncrana Road and the Foyle Bridge. Speaking at the official opening, the Minister highlighted the importa
21/03/2008
Two men and a woman were arrested yesterday at Rath Lugh in Co Meath as the standoff over the controversial M3 motorway continues. The protestors claim that the National Roads Authority (NRA) breached an agreement that no further work would take place at the site. However, the NRA issued a stateme
20/03/2008
An aircraft maintenance worker has died from fatal injuries as he was de-icing a jet at Dublin Airport on Wednesday. The 58 year-old man who was described as a 'veteran' died of injuries sustained in the accident, reportedly in front of his girlfriend who was working alongside him. While de-icing
20/03/2008
Dáil Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley has announced a funding package amounting to almost €25 Million to support built heritage projects in 2008. The provision represents a record increase of 42% on the amount spent in 2007. An important element of this fund
20/03/2008
A €3 million boost has been announced for works at 13 locations from Stillorgan reservoir to Newtown Avenue as part of the Carysfort Maretimo Stream Improvement Scheme. The funding has been allocated from the Water Services Investment Programme 2007-2009 to facilitate the tender process. Barry And
20/03/2008
CRH plc, the international building materials group, has announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire a 50% shareholding in My Home Industries Limited ("MHIL"), a privately-owned cement company with its head office in Hyderabad, India. CRH's total investment will be €290 million. CRH and th
20/03/2008
Plans to build a housing estate on the site of the Battle of the Boyne have sparked anger among local residents. Permission to build the 745 houses on the southern shore of the battlefield site at Old-bridge has been appealed on the grounds that the development will have a "drastic impact" on the k
20/03/2008
An application for planning permission for a new women's, children's and maternity hospital in Sandyford has been refused by Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council. The Beacon Medical Group (BMG) proposal was denied on the grounds that the area had insufficient infrastructure and inadequate foul d
20/03/2008
Barney McGahan, Deputy Secretary at the Department for Social Development, yesterday delivered the concluding speech at a National House Building Council Seminar. At the seminar entitled 'Building for Tomorrow', Mr McGahan updated the construction industry on the emerging issue of building sustaina
20/03/2008
Irish Environment Minister John Gormley has insisted that the M3 motorway in Co Meath poses no threat to the Rath Lugh monument near the Hill of Tara. Last week, protestor Lisa Feeney chained herself inside an underground tunnel for 60 hours in an effort to block the construction work, which prote
20/03/2008
The number of houses and apartments granted planning permission in the final quarter of 2007 was up 9% on the previous year, despite the downturn in the property market. The Central Statistics Office has revealed approval was granted for 17,733 dwelling units, compared with 16,251 units for the sam
20/03/2008
Stephen Peover, the Northern Ireland Permanent Secretary at the Department of the Environment, outlined priorities for the environment at a civic reception at Stormont yesterday. Addressing the event, part of the UK/Ireland Planning Conference on spatial planning, social justice and sustainable dev
19/03/2008
With a 'fair wind', next weekend will see a world beating initiative underway in Strangford Lough with the installation of the earth's first ever turbine capable of generating commercial amounts of electricity from tidal energy. Already given a welcome by Ards Councillor Simon Hamilton, who said th
19/03/2008
The number of jobseekers to visit construction recruitment website,
19/03/2008
Work at a new retail enclave, Mullingar Central, is to get underway after An Bord Pleanála gave the go-ahead for the €200m development. Following a design competition aimed at rejuvenating the Blackhall area of the town, Westmeath County Council chose local contractors, Bennett Developments as the
19/03/2008
Warnings have been issued to a number of residents in east Belfast that there may be asbestos in their homes. The Housing Executive have identified there may be asbestos in the roof spaces in around 100 homes in four streets near Stormont. However, while 28 houses know they have the problem, doze
19/03/2008
Reports out this morning speculate that Irish building materials giant CRH will make a bid for the clay tile business of German rival HeidelbergCement. The German company has been cited in the Financial Times Deutschland as saying it may sell its clay tile business as the company concentrates on ce
19/03/2008
Irish Minister for the Environment John Gormley has issued a reminder to local authorities, public bodies, contractors and private land owners of their responsibilities under the Wildlife Acts relating to restrictions on the destruction of vegetation, including hedgerows, on uncultivated land. The
19/03/2008
Roads Service is investigating the feasibility of improving the A2 Buncrana Road in Derry between Pennyburn roundabout and the border with the Republic of Ireland. Buncrana Road is part of the North Western Key Transport Corridor connecting Belfast to the city and to Donegal. It is an important r
19/03/2008
Employment law transgressors will face possible jail sentences of up to three years and fines of up to €250,000 under new legislation published by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheal Martin yesterday. The Employment Rights Compliance Bill 2008 will completely overhaul the Stat
19/03/2008
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and Ireland's Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) have struck an agreement to promote the development of built environment qualifications in Ireland. As part of that agreement the CIOB will recognise level 8 construction degree programmes,
19/03/2008
The largest planning research conference in the UK and Ireland will take place at Queen's University Belfast this week with Jonathan Porritt CBE, Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, as the keynote speaker at the event. With the ten year anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement ap
19/03/2008
Estimates that the Dublin Port Tunnel may end up costing €1.25 billion, five times more than the original estimate of €260 million, should be investigated by the Comptroller and Auditor General, according to Labour Transport Spokesperson Tommy Broughan. Current estimates for the cost of constructin
18/03/2008
Construction prices more than doubled over the past ten years according to new a report by economic consultants DKM, for the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). The report claims labour costs in construction are rising at an unsustainable rate; rising 60% from 1995-2000 in the early years of th
18/03/2008
Northern Ireland's Co-ownership Housing Scheme cannot cope with the growing number of people who want assistance in buying a home. Alan Crowe, Chief Executive of Co-Ownership Housing today announced that no new applications can be taken for Co-Ownership at this time due to funding shortages. He sa
18/03/2008
Commercial properties in Northern Ireland are to undergo a rates revaluation in the coming months, it has been announced. The Land & Property Services (LPS) agency of the Department of Finance & Personnel, will be contacting occupiers of commercial premises later this month as part of the non-domes
18/03/2008
Work on the Dublin Port Tunnel almost came to an abrupt halt in 2004 due to a dispute between the main contractor and Dublin City Council, a report out this morning has claimed. The Irish Independent has reported that Mowlem threatened to stop work in May 2004 due to the dispute with the council ov
18/03/2008
Industry representative groups have been invited by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin to apply to the new Enterprise Innovation Networks initiative for funding to promote new research themes. Each Enterprise Innovation Network will focus on a research or technology t
18/03/2008
The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has opened the first permanent office of The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) in Ireland. Speaking at the official opening of the Dublin office Mr Ahern explained that the CIOB has long had a presence in Ireland and its profile and membership has grown greatly in th
18/03/2008
In the past decade, the Northern Ireland construction industry - always a recognised barometer of economic well being - has shown dramatic growth, fast outpacing the manufacturing sector, which experienced the loss of 18,000 jobs since 1998. Recruitment and employment levels have both grown in Nort
18/03/2008
Environment Minister Arlene foster has welcomed the publication of the UK Government's response to the consultation on the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC). The scheme, which will legally require large users of electricity to reduce their consumption, is designed to save at least four million tonn
18/03/2008
Invest Northern Ireland has helped Draperstown-based Sperrin Metal acquire English company Helmsman, in a move that will expand the County Londonderry firm’s export potential and increase their overall turnover. Sperrin Metal specialises in the manufacture and distribution of storage products such
18/03/2008
Glen-Dimplex, a leading electric heating company, has chosen AirEn services as a Preferred Renewable Energy Partner for its Irish Installer Network. Dimpco, a subsidiary of the Glen-Dimplex Group, manages this Irish network of distributors who supply and install heating applicances, heat pumps, E
14/03/2008
It's kick-off time as the two leading 'teams' in the NI Executive score points against each other on the pending decision on locating the contentious new sports stadium for Northern Ireland. Sinn Fein is now likely to stay 'in the dressing room' unless the new facility is built on the site of the f
14/03/2008
Balbriggin company Wavin, one of Europe's leading makers of plastic pipes for sewers, has said over 50 jobs will be lost due to the decline in the construction industry. In a statement, the company said the decision to cut its operations in Ireland was a direct result of the decline of the Irish co
14/03/2008
Angry scenes erupted yesterday at the site of the new M3 motorway at Rath Lugh, near Tara as protests reached a climax with one protestor chaining herself into a tunnel, causing work to be halted. Demonstrators near the national monument were served with notice to move from the site yesterday morni
14/03/2008
The average weekly earnings for workers in the construction industry increased from €793.61 to €848.56 between December 2006 and December 2007, a rise of 6.9%. According to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) there was an increase of 4.9% in the hourly rate paid to all grad
14/03/2008
Concrete Company CRH has bought Pavestone Group LP, a major US producer of paving stones, for an upfront cash consideration, including debt assumed, of $540m (€348m). The deal also includes a deferred consideration to be paid by CRH if future increases in profitability are met. C
14/03/2008
Hundreds of jobs are to be created with the construction of a multi-million euro commercial development in Co Westmeath. The €200 million Blackhall project, in Mullingar, will include up to 30 retail outlets, a hotel, restaurants and a multi-storey car park. The developers of the project have reve
14/03/2008
As part of her visit to the United States, NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today visited Harlem, New York, one of the most deprived areas in the country. The New York City Housing Department, the largest municipal developer of affordable housing in the United States, was very keen t
14/03/2008
The Northern Ireland Executive has announced their decision to create 11 new councils. Environment Minister Arlene Foster revealed the key decisions on the future shape of local government after a vote at Stormont yesterday. The current 26-council system dates back to the 1970s but was first tippe
14/03/2008
Plans to transform the site of the former Great Southern Hotel with a €100 million development have been unveiled. A local businessman's proposals for the 14-acre 'Station Square' site include a dramatic 300 ft viewing tower, a large eight-screen cinema, 1,200 underground parking spaces and the re
14/03/2008
The winner of the first IWWE & IRWM Innovation Award, Lennox Ltd who entered the Albin AD pump, was announced at the Irish Water Waste & Environment (IWWE) and the Irish Recycling & Waste Management (IRWM) exhibition recently. Adjudicated by a combined visitor vote and two judges, the winner was ch
13/03/2008
A specialist team from the Health and Safety Executive was called in yesterday to head-up the investigation into the Belfast city centre building collapse, which injured six workers on Monday The HSE promised that the investigation would be thorough and warned there would be a criminal prosecution
13/03/2008
Work has begun on a £13 million regeneration project which will transform Newtownabbey Council's Mossley Mill headquarters. The 7,000m2 project will see the refurbishment of a currently derelict part of the 19th Century four-storey Mill building as well as the construction of a new civic arts and c
13/03/2008
The number of households in Northern Ireland is set to rise as a result of both population increase and a continued move towards smaller households, according to data from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) published today. The number of households is projected to grow by 4
13/03/2008
The Northern Ireland Executive is on the verge of agreeing the number of new super-councils there is to be as part of the review of public administration. It is expected that during discussions at Stormont today a Sinn Fein/DUP compromise of 11 new councils will be agreed. The current 26-council s
13/03/2008
Northern Ireland Assembly Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has today praised the impact of the government's work in tackling fuel poverty. Commenting on the release of the 2007 Home Energy Conservation Report by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Minister Ritchie noted that between
13/03/2008
An Taisce has opposed the construction of a new women's, children's and maternity hospital in Sandyford. The €160 million Beacon Medical Group (BMG) plan has been lodged with Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council. However the environmental body's opposition to the proposals - on the grounds tha
13/03/2008
Developers Howard Holdings have unveiled the largest ever development project for Cork Docklands. The €1 billion project will see the renovation of a major part of the docklands area and is "without parallel in Cork in terms of its scale, ambition and vision for the city," according to Greg Coughla
13/03/2008
The Belfast Education and Library Board and AmeyFMP have signed a major strategic partnering agreement that will see the construction of seven new schools. The contract is an integral part of the Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland which sets out a long-term view of planned investment, approa
13/03/2008
A Queen's University engineering student has been recognised as one of the top engineering students in the UK. Newry born King Yit Law received the Sir Williams Siemens Medal at a ceremony in the Siemens Corporation’s headquarters in Surrey. The medal was launched in 1993 to celebrate the engineeri
13/03/2008
The go-ahead has been given to Fingal County Council to seek tenders for the final element of the Dublin Bay Sewerage Scheme Project, according to Local Fianna Fáil Senator Martin Brady. The contract, estimated to cost €6 million, is the last of three contracts designed to collect sewage from the H
12/03/2008
A €35 Million restoration of a stretch of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones has been announced among other details of works to be completed by Waterways Ireland. Community and Rural Affairs Minister Eamon Ó' Cuív yesterday announced the funding for the project is coming from the €75
12/03/2008
The worst of the much publicised decline in the construction sector and the dreaded economic slowdown may be over, according to new figures published yesterday. In the economic report, NCB Stockbrokers predicted the economy would grow by 2.5% this year, and re-bound to 4.5% in 2009. Eunan King, NC
12/03/2008
Property prices could see high levels of price inflation as demand for housing outstrips supply, according to the Construction Industry Federation. Improved affordability - reported by the Irish Home Builders' Association (IHBA) yesterday - coupled with Government reforms such as stamp duty reform
12/03/2008
The Irish Home Builders' Association (IHBA) has expressed confidence that improving sentiment in the housing market will encourage higher residential construction activity than suggested in recent statistics. The IHBA reported an improvement in consumer confidence among its member firms which will,
12/03/2008
The Government has made of €587 million from decentralisation property and site sales, and expects to profit further by jointly developing other properties with private developers. The amount also includes lands that have been transferred to the Affordable Homes Partnership. However, while the sta
12/03/2008
The Office of Public Works has now completed an evaluation of tenders received for construction of new offices for 230 staff of the Property Registration Authority (formerly known as the Land Registry). The new building in Roscommon town is to be approximately 55,000 sq feet in size at an estimated
12/03/2008
South Dublin Councillors have blocked plans to rezone 100 acres of land near Lucan for a residential development even though the land owner offered 184 acres of free land in return for permission. The land, on the banks of the River Liffey, is the proposed site for a development of more than 1,100
12/03/2008
A huge shortfall, thought to be £20m per year, which could lead to higher than expected household water bills, is to be investigated by a powerful NI Assembly committee. Northern Ireland Water is to be asked to explain how the shortfall in its projected revenues came about. The Regional Developmen
12/03/2008
The latest development in cellular technology could soon provide a final solution for County Clare households that have been unable to secure a domestic telephone service. That is according to Minister of State and Clare T.D., Tony Killeen who has received confirmation from eircom that a number of
12/03/2008
Environment Minister Arlene Foster has praised the positive contributions to waste recycling that have been made by Social Enterprise Groups in Northern Ireland. The Minister, who was visiting the Bryson House recycling plant at Mallusk said: "Community and Social Enterprise Groups will play an imp
11/03/2008
A Health and Safety investigation is underway after a building under construction in Belfast collapsed yesterday, injuring six people. The accident happened close to the back of the Royal Courts of Justice in the centre of Belfast. The men were working on the second floor of new office block for t
11/03/2008
Developer Sean Dunne may still receive planning permission for a proposed landmark high-rise tower on the Jury's development at Ballsbridge after all - despite it already being rejected. Dublin City Council planners have now told the developer that they are prepared to grant permission for a high-r
11/03/2008
The Irish Pensions Board has brought a High Court case against Limestone Construction Ltd over its alleged failure to pay pension contributions. In the first case of its kind, the Pensions Board told the court yesterday it wants an order to compel the construction company to pay the alleged €180,00
11/03/2008
Just hours after Monday's near disastrous building collapse at a Belfast building site led to safety procedures at such locations being called into question, a runaway oil tanker has ploughed into a garden wall in Co Londonderry. The safety of such large vehicles has been questioned after a number
11/03/2008
Urgent Government action is now required in the face of mounting job losses in the construction sector, according to the Labour Party Leader, Eamon Gilmore. In response to the latest figures from the CSO on construction employment Mr Gilmore said the results "make for grim reading". He said: "They
11/03/2008
A new construction safety code of practice for small contractors has been announced today by the Minister for Labour Affairs. The new code of practice, which comes into effect on April 2 this year, is designed to reduce accidents and fatalities in the construction sector and assist small contractor
11/03/2008
Grafton Group plc, the builders' merchants and DIY Group, has announced its final results for the year ended 31 December 2007. The results show good growth in sales, profits and earnings per share for 2007. Irish turnover increased by 2% to €1.23 billion but operating profit was down 5% to €123.7
11/03/2008
Students have forsaken building and property related third level courses over growing concerns about the housing market. The latest figures from the CAO show a decline in the numbers of students applying for built environment courses of 31.42%. Built Environment subjects include courses such as co
11/03/2008
The Clare Heritage Office has welcomed the allocation of €34,500 to eight local projects. The regeneration of the seawall at Kilkee, an educational newsletter on Lough Derg's ecosystems and a survey of the old cemetery at Drumcliffe are among the projects in receipt of funding from The Heritage Cou
11/03/2008
Minister of State and Clare Tony Killeen has welcomed the announcement that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has placed a contract for the Civil Engineering Works associated with the River Fergus Upper (Ennis) Flood Relief Scheme. Mr Killeen said that the commencement of work on the first phase of
10/03/2008
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today gave the go ahead for a £4million scheme to extend the Ballymote Centre in Downpatrick. The new scheme will provide much needed additional retail and community facilities and will include a separate multi use sports hall, with specific provision fo
10/03/2008
Search and rescue sniffer dogs have been sent into a collapsed building site in Belfast as efforts continue to determine whether any further workers remained trapped under the building. There are eight people currently in a serious but stable condition in hospital after the incident this morning wh
10/03/2008
Dublin City Council has granted partial approval to Sean Dunne's Mountbrook for the redevelopment of the Jurys/Berkeley Court site, in Ballsbridge, South Dublin. Permission was not granted, however, for the 37-storey tower and the office block, calling into question the feasibility of the whole red
10/03/2008
Defaults and liquidations among Irish building firms and their suppliers more than tripled in the last quarter of 2007, new Trade Credit Brokers (TCB) figures show. According to the latest figures from the Dublin credit insurance group, 40% of all liquidations in the last quarter of last year were
10/03/2008
Two of Ireland's busiest motorways are set to get three service areas, the first of 12 new ones to be built. The National Authority Roads (NRA) will this week lodge planning applications to build two service areas on the M1 and a third on the M4. Transport Minister Noel Dempsey last week signed-of
10/03/2008
There are no immediate plans for Northern Ireland's leading unionist party to veto proposals to build a contentious sports stadium at the Maze. NI Assembly Culture Minister Edwin Poots has moved to dismiss speculation that his party, the DUP, plans to stymie the proposal, despite reports in a Sunda
10/03/2008
Cork city residents have appealed a local council decision to grant planning permission to a €250 million private hospital at Cork University Hospital (CHU), Wilton. Residents have claimed the proposed 185-bed hospital would further aggravate traffic congestion in the local area. Planning permissi
10/03/2008
Irish construction activity fell in February to its lowest level since Ulster Bank began surveying the industry in 2000. According to new figures from the Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) - the seasonally adjusted index designed to measure the overall performance of the con
10/03/2008
Northern Ireland Environment Minister Arlene Foster has returned from Edinburgh where she had discussions with John Swinney MSP, the Minister responsible for planning in Scotland, and key officials. Jim Mackinnon the Chief Planner and Jim McCulloch the Chief Reporter, told the Minister about their
10/03/2008
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has announced that her Department is on track to spend over £3.6million on projects to tackle deprivation in parts of Armagh and Down. The Minister made her announcement during visits to Neighbourhood Renewal projects in Armagh, Lurgan and Downpatrick on
07/03/2008
Property developer Lalco has been given the green light by Wicklow County Council for a €250m development at the 450-acre Humewood House Castle - the former Co Wicklow home of Galen Weston and former president Sean T O'Kelly. Plans include building a 301-bedroom hotel, along with an equestrian cent
07/03/2008
Construction has started on a £2.9 million enterprise development in East Belfast, with the potential to create over 90 new jobs. The Economy Minister, Nigel Dodds announced the construction of the new five-storey enterprise building, at CityEast, today. The development, scheduled for completion in
07/03/2008
An application by Tesco for a 130,000sq ft store - the largest in Ireland - at The Outlet shopping centre on the outskirts of Banbridge has been opposed by local traders. Members of Banbridge Traders’ Association held a meeting last night with officials from the Northern Ireland Independent Retail
07/03/2008
Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, today marked a key milestone in the Schools' Modernisation Programme, which will deliver the construction of almost 70 new schools in the next four years. This building programme, worth over £500 million, will now be delivered through the Department of Education
07/03/2008
A leading Irish wave-energy development company, Wavebob Ltd has signed a research and development agreement with one of Europe's largest electricity providers, Vattenfall AB. The two companies will collaborate on bringing the prototype Wavebob device to readiness for a full-scale commercial wave
07/03/2008
Plans for a €130m four-star hotel and multi-storey car park linked directly to Dublin Airport's new passenger terminal T2 have been submitted to An Bord Pleanála. Up to 900 jobs will be created; the DAA expect 550 jobs to be created during the construction phase of the project and when opened, the
07/03/2008
The N11 in Co Wicklow officially opens today after a €34m upgrade. The Kilpedder interchange should cut the number of cars in Delgany by up to a quarter, substantially easing traffic congestion in the village. It is also hoped the new junction will cater for increased traffic from 3,000 planned ne
07/03/2008
Plans to construct a new young offenders detention centre in County Dublin have been announced by the Irish Minister for Children. A new complex in Lusk is to be built on a 'phased basis' over the next few years. When complete, it is expected it will accommodate 167 offenders aged between 12 and 18
07/03/2008
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA yesterday visited the Shankill area to meet with members of the Greater Shankill Community Council. The Minister discussed a number of issues with community representatives including local housing conditions, waiting lists and a Housing Executive Res
07/03/2008
Straidhavern Primary School in Crumlin will be ordering its energy sunny side up from now on. The environmentally aware school is celebrating the completion of its latest energy project, having installed solar photovoltaic panels (PV) on the south facing roof at the front of the school. The 3kWp s
07/03/2008
Problems with street parking around the construction site of the new Tesco Store at Springhill were eased this week when North Down Borough Council provided alternate parking for construction workers at Bangor Sportsplex. Following a residents meeting which concerns were raised about disruption to
06/03/2008
Eager shoppers descended on Belfast city centre this morning, as the grand opening of the much-anticipated Victoria Square got underway in spectacular style. A brass band, a dance troupe, tap dancers and aerial acrobats thrilled the sizeable crowd during the opening fanfare, to celebrate the unveil
06/03/2008
Industry and Government are to work together to unlock immense economic and environmental opportunities, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said at Energy Forum 2008 today. Over 400 key players in the energy industry in Ireland, five Ministers and two Ministers of State attended the sustainable energy conferen
06/03/2008
A County Antrim carpet company has announced a multi-million pound technology investment at its Portadown factory, which will also bring new jobs. Ulster Carpets supplies carpets to luxury hotels and casinos throughout the world. The £15m investment will see an additional 20 staff taken on with the
06/03/2008
The Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey today launched the Transport 21 Second Annual Progress Report for 2007. A major highlight of the report was that spending on public transport, at €640m increased by 82% over 2006. Further progress also took place on road building with over 600 kilometres
06/03/2008
A significant milestone has been reached in the delivery of a regeneration programme in Kilrush, County Clare. Kilrush Town Council today opened a showhouse at Willow Green, a housing scheme that forms part of a major redesign and refurbishment of the John Paul Estate. The showhouse will be open f
06/03/2008
Dublin's County Councils are negotiating deals with developers to buy homes to sell as affordable housing, The Affordable Homes Partnership (AHP) and greater Dublin area developers are collaborating in a bid to provide discounted homes for up to 750 eligible buyers. Approximately 1,000 properties
06/03/2008
Minister Pat the Cope has confirmed that €240,185 has been allocated by Minister Eamon O Cuiv for the appointment of Consultant Engineers to design and prepare contract documents for the construction of a new pier at Rannagh, Arranmore Island. It is expected that the drawings, contract documents an
06/03/2008
An Bord Pleanála has overturned a decision by Roscommon County Council allowing for a development of nine houses and a commercial building in Tulsk. The proposed development in the Co Roscommon town - rumoured to be the home of the legendary Queen Meave - has been refused planning permission on the
06/03/2008
Armagh City and District Council is on course to save thousands of litres of water each week thanks to a new well. The well has been sunk at the Council's depot to provide water for street sweepers, flowers watering and water features, meaning the mains supply no longer has to be used for these job
06/03/2008
Carlow County Council has put forward a tender for two separate wastewater treatment works at Clonegal & Rathoe. The Contract includes the design, build and one year operation of the two separate wastewater treatment works The Council has said that the Contractors scope of supply shall include, f
05/03/2008
The doors are set to open on the much-anticipated Victoria Square, as Belfast's newest shopping centre gets ready for it's grand opening. A spectacular launch party is promised as the opening gets underway at 10am on Thursday morning. Making his first public appearance since announcing his resigna
05/03/2008
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has told members of the Dáil that 2008 will be a year of tight management of the economy, particularly on expenditure. The warning came as response to a question from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny - in light of this mornings Exchequer Statement which revealed a budget deficit.
05/03/2008
A disgruntled construction worker who yesterday climbed a 52ft crane to protest at what he claimed was his employer's failure to comply with legal obligations, has been sacked. SIPTU union official Paul Hansard was helped down the crane by the Fire Brigade seven hours into his protest after he said
05/03/2008
Residents in the Glens of Antrim are angered at the lack of progress made in the implementation of improvements and measures to address the flooding issue following the floods in July 2007, according to SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan. Mr O'Loan said that he wrote to Minister Gildernew in August 2007 after
05/03/2008
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan announced today that, following a detailed evaluation by his Department of the applications received under the Porcupine Licensing Round, four Frontier Exploration Licences have been awarded. Licences over areas totalling 4,963 square kilometres are being offered to the f
05/03/2008
Farmers across County Clare have been urged to renovate their farm outbuildings with the announcement of a new grant aid scheme. Clare County Council's Conservation Officer, Risteard Ua Cróinín said the newly introduced grant aid scheme ensured that a number of traditional farm buildings, which con
05/03/2008
The Government has collected €500m less than forecast in taxes during the first two months 2008, according to the Exchequer Statement for Feburary. The total tax take came in at €7.5 billion compared with €8.2 billion in the same period in 2007. The report, published today, revealed a deficit of
05/03/2008
Following EU Commission acceptance of the final draft of Ireland's National Allocation Plan for 2008 – 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday took the Final Allocation Decision on the Plan. This decision finalises the allocations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission allowances which
05/03/2008
Planning permission has been granted for a 5,600sq m extension of Google's European Headquarters in Dublin. Despite almost 40 objections being made against the proposal, Dublin City Council gave the go-ahead to developer Liam Carroll for the Gasworks development. The expansion of Gordon House was
05/03/2008
Northern Ireland Economy Minister Nigel Dodds yesterday launched the development of the £6.25 million business facility at the Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP). The Concourse development, which consists of three inter-linked buildings, will provide over 210,000 sq ft of hi-tech, flexible worksp
04/03/2008
A building firm employee has climbed to the top of a Dublin crane to protest at what he claims is his employers failure to comply with legal obligations. Construction worker Paul Hansard climbed the crane on the building site - where he works in the East Wall area of the City - out of frustration a
04/03/2008
International Irish construction materials giant, CRH, this morning announced its full year results which show "another very strong performance in 2007," with full year profit before tax of €1,904 million, a 19% increase on 2006. Results show that earnings per share increased by 17% - representing
04/03/2008
A Belfast based architecture firm has been granted planning permission on behalf of developer Glenkerrin for the €600 million Number One Ballsbridge project. HKR Architects will transform the 2.2 acre Dublin city site through a 430,000 sq ft mixed-use development which will include 109 apartments,
04/03/2008
Massive roadworks on Northern Ireland's busiest road are to be completed six months ahead of schedule, it emerged yesterday. The construction of the Broadway underpass at Belfast's Westlink is also expected to finish six months early, opening to traffic in August. The news comes as the Grosvenor
04/03/2008
Planning permission has been granted for a new railway line between Clonsilla and Dunboyne. Minister of State Mary Wallace welcomed the An Bord Pleanála decision to grant planning permission for the new rail line as she was aware of the problems faced by commuters in the area. She said: "I know an
04/03/2008
Two Northern Ireland companies have won a €45 million contract to construct a dual carriageway in Co Offaly. Graham Projects and PT Williams are to build the 8.6 mile dual carriageway bypass around Tullamore, The two year scheme, which will employ around 200 people, will involve the construction of
04/03/2008
Irish Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley yesterday made a Commencement Order to start the first phase of the Building Control Act 2007. "Safeguarding and improving building standards is one of my core commitments and I am, therefore, pleased to be able to annou
04/03/2008
Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Tony Killeen has awarded four oil and gas exploration licenses to groups wishing to carry out work off the West Coast of Ireland. The granting of the Frontier Exploration Licences follows a detailed evaluation of ap
04/03/2008
The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Joan Burton has criticised a call from the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) for a 12 month pay freeze for building workers and for the entry level rates of pay for new employees to be cut by over 30%. Deputy Burton called on the government to reject the
04/03/2008
The famous Co Clare pub, Durty Nelly's, has been sold in a deal reported to be worth €12 million. The Bunratty landmark, which has been replicated across the world more than 200 times, has been sold to property and investment firm Crystal Partners. The Ennis based firm - owned by hotelier Sean Ly
03/03/2008
The Executive Subcommittee charged with the review of draft PPS 14 continue to make good progress, according to Northern Ireland Environment Minister Arlene Foster. The Minister was speaking at the opening of a seminar on rural planning policy - which is examining a range of approaches for developm
03/03/2008
A threatened historic building has been saved from demolition this week by a Building Preservation Notice (BPN). The former Market Yard and outbuildings in Fivemiletown - which had been threatened with demolition as part of a planning application which proposes to remove the buildings and replace w
03/03/2008
The Comptroller and Auditor General has criticised cost overruns on the Ballymun Regeneration Scheme. In a report out today, the Government's spending watchdog said the scheme to demolish and replace the Ballymun flats in north Dublin was supposed to be completed by 2006 at a cost of €442m. Howeve
03/03/2008
Building firm owners are set to demand a pay freeze for construction workers at the forthcoming national pay talks. The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has confirmed the industry demands and has added that it will be calling for a reduction in minimum wage for its members. Currently, the CI
03/03/2008
Longford County Council and Longford Town Council have invited landowners, property developers and building contractors - who are interested in providing Turnkey housing accommodation - to submit their proposals. The proposals must assist the Councils in providing turnkey accommodation to meet the
03/03/2008
Kingspan has announced increased 2007 full-year pre-tax profits despite the current downturn in activity. The Irish building products manufacturer this morning posted a pre-tax profit of €224.2m for 2007, up from €185.2m a year ago, an increase of just over 21%. However, the group has warned that
03/03/2008
Ian Paisley Junior is again getting involved in property development issues. The politician is to meet US tycoon Donald Trump's officials next month amid continuing uncertainty over the future of the millionaire's plans for a luxury golf resort in Scotland. Despite it being just days since Mr Pais
03/03/2008
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) alerted companies across Northern Ireland of an imminent health and safety campaign beginning today. The campaign will focus on workplace transport and especially the segregation of vehicles and pedestrians, training of drivers and the op
03/03/2008
South Tipperary County Council has overturned an enforcement order it had previously issued - demanding that a development of holiday homes be demolished and the land returned to its condition "prior to commencement of the development". Liam Campion - who built the 52 homes close to the Rock of Cas
03/03/2008
The signing of the Limerick City Boundary Extension Order 2008 heralded a new phase in the ongoing development and regeneration of Limerick City and County. So says the Cathoairleach of Limerick County Council. Whilst reiterating Limerick County Council's support for the boundary extension, Council
