Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for July 2012
31/07/2012
Support is growing for a proposal to commemorate the struggles of 1913 and 1916 by naming a new transport bridge over the river Liffey in honour of Easter Rising leader and trade union organiser, James Connolly. The bridge from Marlborough Street to Hawkins Street is due to open in early 2013, a y
31/07/2012
North Tipperary County Council has announced construction on the Thurles Regional Water Supply Scheme has started. The construction of the €10 million Thurles RWSS Contract No 1 has commenced. The contractor for the scheme is Regan Civil Engineering. The works under Contract No 1 consist of 41km of
31/07/2012
Dublin City Council welcomes Minister Hogan's announcement that €3.96 million funding is to be made available to carry out Contract 7 of the Dublin Region Water main Rehabilitation Project. This will allow another 20 km of old leaking water pipes to be removed and replaced with new pipes. Contrac
31/07/2012
Justice Minister David Ford has said he wants to see the new training college for the police, prison and fire officer services progress as quickly as possible. Welcoming the submission of the full planning application for the £140million state of the art training college the Minister said it would
31/07/2012
Alliance Councillor Neil Kelly has expressed his delight at news Fold Housing Association is to bring new accommodation to Antrim Town. A campaigner for fold-type housing, Councillor Kelly got the news at the Public Services Committee meeting, held at Antrim Civic Centre on Thursday, July 26. At t
31/07/2012
As speculation mounts of a further ECB base rate cut on Thursday of this week, the majority of banks with mortgage customers in Ireland have disgracefully refused to pass on last month’s 0.25% interest rate reduction to their standard rate customers, according to Fianna Fáil Finance Spokesperson Mic
31/07/2012
Tallaght-based Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe shares the concerns of St Vincent de Paul that a hike in gas prices will force more people into fuel poverty. Deputy Crowe commented after An Bord Gáis applied to the Commission for Energy Regulation (CNR) to increase the cost for residential gas customers. T
31/07/2012
SDLP Ballycastle Councillor Dónal Cunningham has welcomed the efforts aimed at boosting the flagging vitality of the towns and villages of Moyle and has called for greater community involvement in regeneration measures. Speaking ahead of a meeting with representatives from the Departments of Social
30/07/2012
Nordex has been awarded a contract for the delivery and assembly of seven high-wind turbines for the Irish "Glenough 2" and "Gibbett Hill" projects. "Glenough 2" entails an extension to an existing 32.5 MW wind farm, which Nordex previously also built, while "Gibbett Hill" is a new 15 MW wind farm.
30/07/2012
Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey,has welcomed news that Minister for Sport Michael Ring TD, has approved funding of €425,000 for the upgrading of the 400 metre running track at the Regional Sports Centre in Waterford City. "This funding, which comes from the Special Athletic Track Initiat
30/07/2012
Thousands more construction jobs will be lost before anywork on the new stimulus package begins, according to the Construction IndustryFederation (CIF). Despite promises by the Government that 13,000 new jobs will be created under their plan, the CIF believes that number of jobs will be lost in t
30/07/2012
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has announced two new marine Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) including the first in the UK to protect the harbour porpoise. The areas to be designated include the sea and seabed surrounding the Maidens Islands off Larne and those adjacent to the Portrush Skerri
30/07/2012
The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., congratulated Louth County Council today on the delivery of a new 16-classroom primary school in Drogheda, Co. Louth. This is the first school to be delivered by a local authority on behalf of the Department of Education & Skills (DES) unde
30/07/2012
Cllr Andrew MuirAlliance Councillor Andrew Muir has condemned the theft of 25,000 litres of diesel oil in North Down. The oil went missing from storage tanks at Craigantlet Quarry, when staff discovered it was gone. Councillor Andrew Muir said: "I completely condemn this despicable act. "A large
30/07/2012
In the light of Providence Resources potential find of up to 1.6 billion barrels of oil – up to four times initial estimates, Congress again called for the re-introduction of the 12.5 per cent royalty on the Irish peoples' resources. Paul Sweeney, Chief Economist, said Congress has long argued tha
30/07/2012
An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte TD, and Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, today attended an event at Ardnacrusha Power Station to mark the 85th anniversary of the establishment of ESB in 1927. Special guest at the event was
27/07/2012
The Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Energy Martin Ferris TD has said that the extent of the oil find off the Cork coast underlines again the need for radical changes to the licensing and revenue terms governing oil and gas exploration. He was responding to a claim by Providence Resources that the Barryr
27/07/2012
New fans specifically designed to meet the requirements of the energy and climate change legislation being introduced throughout Europe in only a matter of months are now available in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Dublin based Fantech Ventilation is part of the international Elta Group of companies
27/07/2012
Figures published in the latest Annual Development Management Bulletin reveal that the number of planning applications being submitted in Northern Ireland has halved in five years, falling from just over 27,000 in 2006/07 to just over 13,500 in 2011/12. Even when compared with only a year ago, com
27/07/2012
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter T.D, today announced that the Government has decided to appoint a Chairperson and 5 ordinary members to the Property Services Appeal Board. The Minister announced in May 2012 that he was seeking expressions of interest from suitably qual
27/07/2012
Meath Fianna Fáil Senator Thomas Byrne has called on the Government to use its teeth to secure support for Meath homeowners affected by pyrite. Senator Byrne has called for a comprehensive response from Environment Minister Phil Hogan to a report from the Pyrite Review Panel published last week. Th
27/07/2012
"The new waste policy, announced today by Mr Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government confirms the need for the development of the waste to energy plant at Poolbeg," according to Seamus Lyons, Assistant City Manager, Dublin City Council. He said: "The Poolbeg
27/07/2012
Environment Minister Alex Attwood has welcomed figures which showed a 6% drop in household waste and a 5.2% increase in household recycling. Household waste for the first three months of this year was 194,472 tonnes, a 6% drop compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period there was
27/07/2012
SDLP Chair of the Assembly's Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee Alban Maginness has expressed concern about the potential downgrade of Northern Ireland Electricity's (NIE) credit rating by ratings agencies Fitch and Standard & Poor. The North Belfast MLA said: "The warnings issued by these
26/07/2012
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government today, 25th July 2012, launched the Government's new waste management policy, 'A Resource Opportunity'. Minister Hogan said: "This policy brings certainty to industry and other participants in the sector following five y
26/07/2012
The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) has welcomed the announcement of €100m for social housing by Minister for Housing Jan O'Sullivan T.D. ICSH Executive Director Donal McManus said: "Our members across the country have housing projects awaiting funding which will meet the needs of the most
26/07/2012
Barahaven Construction, a Dungannon construction company with 32 employees, is one of 37 organisations from across Northern Ireland awarded with the prestigious Investors in People (IiP) accreditation. Dr Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment and Learning, congratulated those receiving the busine
26/07/2012
Sangart, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing life-saving medicines specifically designed to enhance the perfusion and oxygenation of ischemic (oxygen deprived) tissues through targeted oxygen and other gas delivery, today announced plans to build a new manufacturing faci
26/07/2012
Experts say an oil field off the coast of Cork could produce four times more than was first estimated. Dublin-based Providence Resources announced today that its Barryroe well holds up to 1.6bn barrels, well exceeding estimates released a few months ago. The well lies 50 kilometres from the south
26/07/2012
Green Party Energy Spokesperson, Ossian Smyth, has welcomed the proposed €8 billion investment which will create 2,000 new jobs in wind farms designed to export power into the UK market. "There is a real opportunity to turn our comparative advantage in wind power into a major new export industry to
26/07/2012
SDLP Creggan Cllr Jim Clifford has condemned those responsible for causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to machinery in Derry City Cemetery. Cllr Clifford said: "This is a shameful act of mindless vandalism in an area which is sacred to many people. "Good progress was being made at expandin
26/07/2012
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., welcomed the publication of the first Report of the Local Government Efficiency Review (LGER) Implementation Group. Minister Hogan said: "We have had a lot of talk about local government reform over the past dec
25/07/2012
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has led a sod turning ceremony to begin construction of a new Innovation Growth Centre at Omagh Enterprise Company (OEC). The new facility has the potential to create around 200 new jobs. When constructed, the new high-tech centre will form an integral part of the
25/07/2012
A delegation of senior gas industry officials from Serbia, including the Serbian Utility Regulator, recently jetted into Belfast as part of a best practice visit to view the operations of Phoenix Natural Gas and to learn more about the development of the Northern Ireland gas industry. The undergrou
25/07/2012
It's an exciting time for the home owners of a new housing development by Kelly Brothers in Warrenpoint, as they are amongst the first in the town to benefit from natural gas supplied by firmus energy. The residents at Mountain View are living in beautiful homes that are supplied with one of the cl
25/07/2012
Now that the school summer holidays are in full swing, NI Water is sending a 'play safe' message to young people in the North Belfast area. In light of the company's extensive Watermains Improvement Programme on the Cliftonville Road and the wider North Belfast area, NI Water is urging parents to e
25/07/2012
In the year to June, residential property prices at a national level, fell by 14.4%, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). This compares with an annual rate of decline of 15.3% in May and a decline of 12.9% recorded in the twelve months to June 2011. In Dublin residential property pri
25/07/2012
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is inviting stakeholders from the insurance industry, the quarrying/ concrete industry, the banking industry and Homebond to join them in coming up with a voluntary solution to the pyrite problem. Following on from the publication of the Pyrite Panel's re
25/07/2012
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has said government must protect vulnerable young people from the worst effects of Welfare Reform, particularly those under 25 on Housing Benefit.Speaking after receiving a response from the Department of Social Development to an Assembly Question revealing that there ar
25/07/2012
An Alliance representative has praised the joint-up approach behind Belmont Park receiving its first Green Flag award. The national award for public and community parks and green spaces, the Green Flag award scheme recognises and rewards the best green spaces across the country. East Belfast Counc
24/07/2012
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson is seeking views on proposals to implement a European Union Directive which requires, among other things, that more public buildings should display Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). This is a revised European Directive – the first one was implemented in 2008 - ai
24/07/2012
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has announced that he has given sanction to South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd to approve funding of up to €500,000 to Barraduff Community Field Organisation towards the development of a multi purpose leisure and rec
24/07/2012
The Minister for Housing & Planning, Ms. Jan O’Sullivan, TD, and the Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health & Older People, Ms. Kathleen Lynch, TD, have published the National Implementation Framework to support the Government’s National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability, 2011–
24/07/2012
On a recent visit to Longford and Westmeath Minister for Health James Reilly TD officially opened the new Cluain Lir Care Centre in Mullingar. The new facility which is described as a 'home from home' is designed and planned with an individual patient care ethos. The new unit replaces the old St. M
24/07/2012
The DUP's East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has said Tom Elliott should cease from scaremongering about the Maze/Long Kesh site and admit to the UUP's role in listing the prison buildings. Mr Wilson branded Tom Elliott's recent comments as "utter hypocrisy". Commenting Mr Wilson said: "Tom Elliott sh
24/07/2012
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will today, Tuesday 24th July, meet with Brendan Tuohy, Chairman of the Pyrite Panel, to discuss its report into structurally damaging mineral pyrite. It is estimated that about 12,000 homes, predominantly located in east
24/07/2012
Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central, Micheál Martin, has expressed his disappointment with Cork County Council’s decision not to reduce rates for businesses affected by the recent floods in Douglas. Deputy Martin commented: "I find it really disappointing that Cork County Council didn’t see it fi
24/07/2012
The Green Party claimed that The ULA and Anti Household Tax Campaign should take some credit for the shortfall in the local government fund which will lead to cuts to local library, arts and community services in Local Authorities around the country. Speaking following correspondence to County Man
23/07/2012
The PSNI are investigating a series of controversial deals involving the sale of Housing Executive land to developers, according to a report by the Northern Ireland Audit Office. The Audit report suggests that the sales of land to developers has become a criminal matter, as it outlines 21 cases whi
23/07/2012
Up to 800 Irish jobs could be generated through the government's referral programme by this December, the Irish Examiner has reported. The first company brought to Ireland through the ConnectIreland programme was the US firm Intergeo Services, which will create 30 engineering jobs in Carlow. The l
23/07/2012
A new £18m theatre in Belfast has been short-listed for the 2012 Stirling Prize in architecture. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) put the new Lyric Theatre in the running for the £20,000 prize, alongside London's Olympic Stadium and Maggie's cancer centre in Glasgow. Judges from RI
23/07/2012
Construction workers have been seriously short changed because a series of delays by the Irish Government have made it "impossible" to spend the money on time, reveals the Irish Independent. The EU fund of €25m earmarked to support 8,800 workers with training, education, career guidance or to set u
23/07/2012
The top prize in a school-designing competition has gone to a firm of Scottish architects. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland ran a competition for the design of a new 1,000-student post-primary school in Dublin. It attracted 154 submissions, including 43 from outside Ireland. The w
23/07/2012
An international lighting company has contributed to the atmosphere at the refurbished Dublin airport. Sill said it was the latest addition to a "long list of successful transport projects". Terminal 2 cost €395m to build and can handle up to 15m passengers a year. Sill worked with lighting desig
23/07/2012
Engineers Ireland has called for entries from all disciplines of engineering to allow the Irish public to vote online for this year’s Engineering Project of the Year. Sponsored by NRA, The Engineering Project of the Year award is intended to highlight the particular influence or benefit a specific
20/07/2012
Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O'Sullivan, TD, has announced the green light for proposals from local authorities for the provision of over 800 new social and voluntary housing units. At a cost of approximately €100m, the units will come on stream between now and 2014. These new permanent h
20/07/2012
EirGrid has been successful in being awarded the Carbon Trust Standard, making the organisation one of the first companies in Ireland to achieve this certification. The Carbon Trust Standard was awarded following an independent assessment last month of the EirGrid headquarters at Shelbourne Road,
20/07/2012
Leading electricity and gas company SSE has revealed as the Official Energy Partner of Glasgow 2014. The link-up with Scotland's largest company sees it join the Glasgow 2014 sponsor family with an 'Official Partner' status – the highest rank within the Organising Committee’s commercial programme.
20/07/2012
NI Water have announced that an essential Sewer Improvement Scheme will commence in early August in the Mullaghbawn area. Improvements will be made to the existing Wastewater Treatment Works and a new sewer will be laid along the Church Road, Mullaghbawn. The programme of work will last approximat
20/07/2012
The Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan T.D., has published the Residential Tenancies (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012 which will see: •Those tenancies in the voluntary and cooperative housing sector that most closely parallel private rented tenancies being regulated under the Act •The a
20/07/2012
The First Minister, the Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MLA, and deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, have announced the appointment of Mr Trevor Alan Rue as Deputy Chief Commissioner to the Planning and Water Appeals Commissions. The appointment takes effect from 23 July 2012. Mr Rue, who i
20/07/2012
A Co. Tyrone haulage company was fined a total of £1,000 plus £76 court cost at Londonderry Magistrates' Court. The charges related to an investigation by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) into the operation of a vehicle by Sean McGrath, Melmount Road, Sion Mills, Strabane. Mr McGrath was fined a
19/07/2012
Proposals from the Utility Regulator to curb Northern Ireland Electricity's (NIE) returns and investments over the next five years do not serve customers' best interests, the company said. NIE, replying to draft proposals from the Utility Regulator on network charges, said curbing its modernisation
19/07/2012
Work is progressing well on a £2 Million investment to improve and upgrade the watermains network in the North Down area, according to NI Water. The work will re-commence this weekend starting at 7pm on Friday 20th July. This section of work will take place from the Glen Road to the Seahill Road (B
19/07/2012
Energy Minister Arlene Foster has today revealed details of long term financial incentives for those wishing to install renewable energy technologies to heat their properties. The Minister will be seeking to put the legislation in place to enable the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) to launch in the
19/07/2012
Engineers Ireland has welcomed the €2.25 billion infrastructure stimulus package announced by the Government which is to create new jobs, mostly in construction. The Government's programme is to focus on projects in the health, education, transport and the justice sectors. John Power, Director G
19/07/2012
Lagan Brick workers, and their SIPTU representatives, attended the Labour Court on Wednesday morning, 18th July, for a full hearing of the issues involved in the long running dispute at the Lagan Brick manufacturing plant, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. The dispute, which is in its eighth month, was referr
19/07/2012
Dunloy building company Dixons Contractors is aiming to double its sales by expanding its reach into the Great Britain market with support from Invest Northern Ireland. Dixons is particularly targeting the social housing market in Great Britain, a sector in which it has substantial experience. To
19/07/2012
The Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan is to punish local authorities around the country for the chaos he created over the collecting the household charge, according to Fianna Fáil Environment Spokesperson Barry Cowen. Deputy Cowen was commenting on reports that Minister Hogan is writing to al
19/07/2012
In September 2011, Minister Hogan announced the establishment of an independent panel to explore options for a resolution to the problem of pyrite contamination in private housing stock. He took this action in response to the very difficult situations faced by homeowners who through no fault of th
19/07/2012
The Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte TD, today published a Government Policy Statement on the importance of Energy Infrastructure. Speaking in the Dáil, Minister Rabbitte said: "The Government reaffirms, the imperative need for development and renewal of our energy networks, in order to meet both
19/07/2012
Ms Kathleen Lynch, T.D., Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, has welcomed the appointment by the HSE of the Design Team for the Re-configuration of National Forensic Mental Health Service Facilities to replace the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum. "The redevelopment
18/07/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced a public consultation on a new Urban Regeneration and Community Development Policy Framework. The Framework will determine the priorities for urban regeneration and community development policies and programmes over the coming years. These
18/07/2012
Ken Wilson, a North Belfast Plastering and Dry Wall Systems apprentice who trains at Belfast Metropolitan College's Millfield campus is one of seven of Northern Ireland’s top construction trainees who have been selected to join the UK Squad for the next WorldSkills competition in Leipzig, Germany in
18/07/2012
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Michael Moynihan TD has welcomed the announcement that 2,000 jobs will be created in a new wind farm project for the Midlands. The €8 billion project will see wind farms erected in counties Meath, Westmeath, Kildare, Laois an
18/07/2012
National Grid UK today confirmed that a firm grid connection of 3,000 megawatts has been awarded to global renewable energy developer, Element Power. This is the first such dedicated connection offered to an Irish renewable energy exporter and enables Element Power to progress 'Greenwire' - a seri
18/07/2012
Welcoming the announcement that the Grangegorman site is to be developed as a centralised Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) campus, Fine Gael Dublin Central Deputy, Paschal Donohoe, said the project has the potential to dramatically change the face of Dublin 7 and the northside of the city. "The
18/07/2012
Northern Ireland’s construction industry remained firmly in the doldrums in the past three months (April, May and June), according to an authoritative report. The latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Construction Market Survey reveals that Northern Ireland continued to significant
18/07/2012
SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has expressed concern at another major fire on the former Downe Hospital site in Downpatrick. This is the third fire on the site in just a matter of weeks. Ms Ritchie has been lobbying DSD, the South Eastern Trust, Down District Council and the Strategic Investme
18/07/2012
SDLP South Down MLA said the new library planned for Kilkeel is a great victory for a community that was determined to retain a core service. Ms McKevitt sits on the Assembly committee which monitors the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure with responsibility for the library service and has cam
17/07/2012
Getting the public more involved in the country's planning system is a key objective of Ms Joanna Kelly, the newly-elected President of the Irish Planning Institute (IPI). Ms Kelly, who works with Bord Pleanala, said: "I intend to focus on how the planning system can be reformed to encourage the pu
17/07/2012
Bord Gáis is to commence the tender process to appoint a lead corporate financial advisor to advise the Board and management of Bord Gáis in relation to the sale of its energy business, Bord Gáis Energy. The financial advisor will provide all corporate financial advisory services in respect of the
17/07/2012
The Housing Excutive's Research Unit has just published a new pilot examination of a local housing system for the Belfast Metropolitan Housing Market Area (HMA). In association with the accompanying guidance manual, it provides a planning for housing tool, which will be used by Northern Ireland Hou
17/07/2012
The Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Ms Maria van der Hoeven, has stated that investing in low-carbon technologies makes economic sense and is essential for Ireland, given its comparative advantage in renewable sources of energy. Ms Van der Hoeven, who launched the IE
17/07/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has welcomed the completion of a £60,000 public realm scheme in Market Lane, Downpatrick. Mr McCausland said: "The completion of this scheme in the centre of Downpatrick will greatly benefit all those who live work and shop in the town. Market Lane is a
17/07/2012
Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland, has announced a temporary appointment to the position of Acting Chairman of the Board of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Ms Anne Henderson currently holds the position of Vice Chairman and has agreed to take on the role of Acting Chairman unti
17/07/2012
Gaelectric has announced that it has entered a turbine supply agreement, and an ENERCON PartnerKonzept (EPK) full maintenance agreement, with ENERCON GmbH, current European market leader and the world's leading provider of electrically excited direct drive turbines, for the supply of turbines for it
17/07/2012
The latest emission figures in the Greenhouse Gas Inventories for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, 1990 – 2010, have been published today. The figures estimate the 2010 Northern Ireland emissions at 20,460 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent; with 26% from agriculture, 21% from tr
16/07/2012
DLP West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne has welcomed the result of a public inquiry which has given the go-ahead to two sections of the proposed A5 upgrade. Mr Byrne, who appeared at the public inquiry, said: “This is a very positive and progressive move which should now remove any legal impediment for work
16/07/2012
Mr. Phil Hogan T.D, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has approved Fingal County Council's proposal for an Advance Works Contract for the GDRDP : Blanchardstown Sewerage Scheme. The contract is being funded under his Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010
16/07/2012
Mr. Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community & Local Government, has approved the commitment of the necessary capital funding to enable Limerick County Council to accept the tender of €663,000 from Earthworks Profiling Ltd. to carry out extensive watermain rehabilitation works under the N
16/07/2012
Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte TD, has welcomed the publication of the International Energy Agency’s 2012 Review of Ireland’s Energy Policies. Minister Rabbitte stated: “The key recommendations of the IEA Review affirm Government policy for energy and underlines our consistent message as to the
16/07/2012
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mr. Richard Bruton T.D has announced that Irish concrete products manufacturer Shay Murtagh Precast has created 41 new jobs supported by the Government through Enterprise Ireland. The company is also investing approximately €3m in state-of-the-art
16/07/2012
Seven of Northern Ireland’s top construction trainees have been selected to join the UK Squad for the next WorldSkills competition in Leipzig, Germany in 2013. WorldSkills is the biggest international skills competition in the world. Held every two years in one of its 61 member countries/regions, t
16/07/2012
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson has met with local traders from Newcastle and participated in a round table discussion on business rates. During the visit, hosted by the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association and the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, the Minister highlighted the Executiv
16/07/2012
SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has expressed concern at another major fire on the former Downe Hospital site in Downpatrick. This is the third fire on the site in just a matter of weeks. Ms Ritchie has been lobbying DSD, the South Eastern Trust, Down District Council and the Strategic Investme
16/07/2012
Speaking on the Personal Insolvency Bill in the Dáil, Sinn Féin Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD has said that the mortgage debt crisis is having a damaging effect on people’s mental health and is contributing to the rise in suicide rates. Deputy Ó Caoláin said: “As a Dáil deputy working
16/07/2012
Minister Nelson McCausland has announced that Ilex Urban Regeneration Company has lodged an outline planning application for the re-development of the 14 acre Fort George site in Londonderry. Welcoming the application, Minister McCausland said: “The outline planning application foresees major mixed
11/07/2012
Dublin City Council was one of nine Irish organisations to take part in a study tour to Germany recently striving towards energy efficient lighting in Ireland. The tour was organised by DEinternational Ireland, the consultancy wing of the German-Irish Chamber of Industry and Commerce. During the in
11/07/2012
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications will today meet with representatives of Bord Gáis Networks (BGN) to discuss its work in connecting homes and businesses to Ireland's gas network. The representatives from BGN will outline the structure of the gas network, which currentl
11/07/2012
Fine Gael Dublin Central Deputy, Paschal Donohoe, has today said he will be raising the issue of the development of the Grangegorman site, which has been earmarked as a centralised campus for Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), with Government with a view to progressing future plans for the site.
11/07/2012
Speakers and delegates from all over the world have gathered in Dublin today to attend Fully Charged 2012, an International electric vehicle summit organised by ESB ecars on behalf of the Green eMotion EU project. Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister for Communications, Energy & Natural Resources opened the
11/07/2012
Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE), the network company, has strongly condemned vandals who deliberately set on fire an electricity substation in Derry/Londonderry City. The fire, which affected around 2,435 homes and businesses in the Anne Street, Circular Road, Brandywell and rural area west of t
11/07/2012
SIPTU members employed in local authority water services have voted in favour of taking industrial action if the Department of Environment fails to adequately consult with them on the transition of assets and workers’ duties to Irish Water. The ballot for industrial action, including strike action
11/07/2012
West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty has welcomed the news that the public inquiry into A5 Derry to Dublin upgrade has favoured the scheme going ahead. Mr Doherty said: "The A5 upgrade is crucial to the economic development of the entire North West region so I welcome the news that the public inqui
11/07/2012
SDLP East Derry MLA has expressed his surprise at being told by police that the Regional Development Department has a policy of not prosecuting those who deface public property such as streetlights, kerbstones and roadways. He was given this information when demanded of the police that those who pa
11/07/2012
The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) Ireland Conference, supported by ARAMARK and H&J Martin Facilities Management is set to take place in Belfast's Waterfront on 16th November 2012 and will demonstrate the vital role that facilities management plays in the performance of today's su
10/07/2012
The new Mayor of Galway city, Cllr Terry O'Flaherty, has launched the O'Shaughnessy Bridge with Mr Keith Warnock, Vice-President for Capital Projects at NUI Galway. The bridge, which crosses the Eglinton Canal, is a suspension bridge of about 50 metres and is designed for use by both pedestrians a
10/07/2012
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) has today welcomed the proposed publication by the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA) of residential property sales prices. Speaking in Dublin at the International Governing Council meeting of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, NAMA
10/07/2012
A green initiative spearheaded by Belfast City Council in partnership with Queen's University Elms Village has won top honours at a European awards ceremony. 'Green Week' was named Best Business Project in the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) awards which were recently held in Paris, beatin
10/07/2012
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government announced today that he has given sanction to Kilkenny LEADER Partnership to approve funding of up to €222,000 to Thomastown Community Centre Ltd towards the refurbishment of the existing community centre and concert hall
10/07/2012
Mr. Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, today announced that he has approved Wicklow County Council proposal for Water Conservation Stage 3 Works - Contract 1. The contract is being funded under his Department’s Water Services Investment Programme 2010-20
10/07/2012
Clare Fine Gael Senator Tony Mulcahy has welcomed the change in qualifying criteria for householders wishing to undertake energy efficiency retrofits in their homes under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Better Energy Warmer Homes scheme. Senator Mulcahy said he has received con
10/07/2012
Ulster Unionist MLAs Michael McGimpsey and Michael Copeland have welcomed the Executive's announcement of a series of measures aimed at tackling the impact of flooding in some of the areas most affected following recent heavy rain, including South and East Belfast. South Belfast MLA Michael McGimps
10/07/2012
Minister for Social Development Nelson McCausland has noted the publication of the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Housing Market Survey. The Minister, who has responsibility for housing, said: "While uncertainty clearly remains in the housing market in Northern Ireland and througho
10/07/2012
People who face the threat of losing their homes in repossessions or evictions are to be given free legal advice from housing rights specialists. The Department of Justice in Northern Ireland is spending £60,000 on starting up two posts for lawyers who will attend court to help people who cannot af
10/07/2012
Transport Minister Danny Kennedy has congratulated Roads Service and its contractors for the successful completion of the record number of road resurfacing schemes in 2011/2012 which amounted to £1.1million in Carrickfergus Borough. The Minister said: "Last year’s budget for structural maintenance
09/07/2012
Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, today announced that the 'smoky coal ban' regulations are to be revised in time for the next winter fuel season, with some expansions of the ban areas within the 20 cities and towns already covered by the smoky coal ban,
09/07/2012
SIPTU has called on the owners of Lagan Brick to end a campaign of disinformation relating to the long running dispute at the company's manufacturing plant in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, dismissed a statement released by a public relations company on behalf of the management
09/07/2012
Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland has spoken out following a report from the Northern Ireland Auditor General found evidence of misconduct and potential fraud in the sale of public Housing Executive land to private developers. The East Belfast MLA who is a member of the Stormont Public Accounts
09/07/2012
Alliance Regional Development spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has said that the £10 million of funding for flood alleviation schemes in East Antrim, East Belfast and South Belfast is only a sticking plaster. The schemes were already planned to be carried out in the near future. Stewart Dickson MLA
09/07/2012
SDLP Junior Housing Spokesperson Cllr Nichola Mallon has said the homeless people of North Belfast will take little comfort from the Girdwood briefing to the Social Development Committee. The North Belfast Councillor said: "The SDLP went to the DSD Committee today expecting some detail at least, on
09/07/2012
Stroma Technology, leading providers of building compliance assessments and energy carbon consultancy services, completed a package of sustainable services on the Lea Field Court development at Huntington, York. The housing development achieved a Level 5 Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) rating, the
09/07/2012
Labour Deputy Joanna Tuffy today welcomed the announcement that the Department of Education is to receive a €100 million loan from the European Investment Bank to help fund its School Building Programme. As announced earlier in the year, the Government will spend €1.5 billion on a school buildings
09/07/2012
Sinn Féin MLA Caitriona Ruane has welcomed the commitment of MEP's who addressed a meeting to campaign for the Narrow Water Bridge. Ms Ruane said: "The attendance of MEP's Martina Anderson and Jim Nicholson at the meeting of political representatives, Newry and Mourne and Louth County Councils as w
06/07/2012
A delegation from Washington State’s Department of Commerce today visited the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) this week as part of a trade mission to Ireland and England to develop business linkages. T he visit presents an exciting opportunity for Irish clean-tech companies to make m
06/07/2012
Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson has said that the Narrow Water Bridge project is crucial to the development of the South Down and Louth region. Ms Anderson said: "I will be meeting with interested parties including local political representatives, representatives of Newry and Mourne Council, Louth C
06/07/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced the publication of a regeneration Master Plan for Limavady Town Centre. Welcoming the publication of the document, Nelson McCausland said: "I am pleased that my Department has been able to work with Limavady Borough Council and other key s
06/07/2012
Fine Gael Cork North West Deputy, Áine Collins, has today (Friday) said she is delighted that funding is being made available, as a matter of priority, to deal with the water supply issues in Glantane and Lombardstown. This follows on from representations made by Deputy Collins on behalf of the pe
06/07/2012
Homeowners across Northern Ireland can register now for a new boiler replacement scheme funded by the Department for Social Development. The scheme offers a grant of up to £1,000 to replace inefficient boilers, with energy efficient condensing oil or gas boilers; switching from oil to gas; or switc
06/07/2012
Alliance Councillor Patrick Clarke has said flooding in Newcastle has reached a critical stage. Parts of Newcastle and Newry have been declared an emergency, and Councillor Clarke - who has been out in affected areas since the rain began at 8am - has said the situation is "absolutely horrendous".
06/07/2012
Sinn Féin Finance Spokesperson Pearse Doherty has welcomed the ECB quarter percent rate cut this afternoon and called on the Government to ensure this rate cut is passed to mortgage holders and businesses. Deputy Doherty said: "When the ECB last cut its rates, the banks in this state dragged their
06/07/2012
GT Energy, leading the way in the generation of renewable heat in the UK and Ireland, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with E.ON UK, one of the UK’s leading power and gas companies, to develop five new deep-geothermal heat and distribution systems. Under the terms of the partnership, the t
06/07/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has lent a hand to officially launch a new £2.6million family housing development at Clara Street in East Belfast. The development of 22 new homes, on the site of the former Belfast City Council Civic Amenity Site, is being developed by Apex Housing wit
06/07/2012
On 28 March 2012, the British Board of Agrément (BBA) granted an Agrément Certificate to Redi-Rock International for Redi-Rock Gravity Retaining Wall and Free Standing Wall Systems. The Redi-Rock Gravity Retaining Wall System utilizes massive, 1134 kg concrete modular blocks that allow tall retaini
05/07/2012
Minister for Housing & Planning Jan O’Sullivan TD today, published a report on progress being made in tackling unfinished housing developments. Minister O’Sullivan stated that: "In June 2011, the Government announced a range of actions to address the problems posed by unfinished housing development
05/07/2012
The Northern Ireland-based McAvoy Group, leaders in modular construction, has helped host a two day fact finding visit to the Province by leading members of the Buildoffsite Organisation, a UK-wide group that promotes the benefits of offsite construction techniques. The visit, organised jointly by
05/07/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has visited the old Templemore Avenue School to mark an important stage in the construction phase to transform a derelict school building into a vibrant Community Network Centre for Inner East Belfast. Speaking on site at the topping out ceremony Nelso
05/07/2012
East Antrim MLA Alstair Ross has responded to comments from the SDLP’s Mark Durkan which appeared to criticise the DSD Minister for investigating failures in the Housing Executive’s maintenance contracts beyond those carried out by Red Sky. Commenting, the Social Development Committee member said:
05/07/2012
Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard said that immediate action needs to be taken if we are to resolve the issue of flooding. Speaking after flash floods in Newcastle Mr. Hazzard said: "Every year we see homes ruined and people’s lives devastated due to flooding so action is needed now if we are to prevent
05/07/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has handed over keys to the new residents of Cecilia’s Walk in Londonderry. The £9.8million development of 53 houses and eight apartments, on the former United Technologies site at Bligh’s Lane, is owned by Apex Housing and was part funded by the Northe
05/07/2012
First Minister Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA today officially opened Parity Solutions Limited’s new state-of-the-art premises in Titanic Quarter. Ministers said the company, which provides IT solutions and training, was playing an important part i
05/07/2012
Nelson McCausland MLA, Minister for Social Development and Dr Stephen Farry MLA, Employment and Learning Minister, have highlighted the role of social contracts in moving people into employment. The Ministers were speaking after meeting and congratulating Howard Giffen and Ashley Lilley from Lisbur
05/07/2012
Senator Aideen Hayden called on Minister Noonan to clear up the confusion and inequalities with the Non Principal Private Residence Tax. Increasing numbers of people are being penalised for not being able to afford to stay in their family home. Many of these people believe that it is a tax on a se
05/07/2012
SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie MP has said that the British Government must learn from the mistakes made in the past when it comes to our future nuclear programme. Speaking on an adjournment debate which she secured at Westminster on the issue, Ms Ritchie said: "I find it staggering to witness
04/07/2012
Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government has announced that he has given sanction to Leitrim Development Company to approve funding of up to €184,186 to Drumshanbo Town Enhancements Ltd towards the redevelopment of a town centre site for use as a community facil
04/07/2012
A giant transformation awaits visitors to Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage Site with yesterday's opening of a new state-of-the-art visitor centre at the Giant's Causeway. With panoramic rooftop views of the coastline available for the first time, the award-winning building is part of a
04/07/2012
Launching a proposed new guide to help local authorities expedite renewable energy developments, the Chief Executive of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Dr Brian Motherway said that if Ireland is to meet its binding targets to year 2020, cut €1 billion in annual fossil fuel import
04/07/2012
At the official opening of its new office in Edenderry, Co Offaly Eddie O’Connor’s global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power has unveiled its plans for the 5,000MW “Energy Bridge” wind park in the midlands which will export power to plug the UK’s energy gap starting in 2017. The Compa
04/07/2012
Alliance Councillor Laura McNamee has urged Belfast City Council to make pursuing an Empty Homes Strategy a priority. Councillor McNamee was speaking after the full meeting of Belfast City Council as Councillors agreed to move forward with a proposal identifying ruinous and dilapidated properties.
04/07/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has spoken in the Northern Ireland Assembly about concerns identified about the Housing Executive’s (HE) management of response maintenance contracts. The Minister told the Assembly that his predecessor Alex Attwood had commissioned a review of governan
04/07/2012
The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Rural Affairs Martin Ferris TD has tabled a Dáil motion to debate the ongoing impasse regarding turf cutting. Deputy Ferris has said that there is an urgent need to resolve the issue given the current ban being imposed and the intention of turf cutters to continue to
04/07/2012
Local construction businesses specialising in offsite construction had the opportunity to showcase their skills and expertise at a special event organised by Invest Northern Ireland. Members from the UK construction organisation Buildoffsite travelled to Northern Ireland to participate in a network
04/07/2012
Ulster Unionist MLA Jo-Anne Dobson has welcomed the decision by the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Traders Association (NIIRTA) to withdraw its Judicial Review application against the proposed out of town Tesco store at Bridgewater Park in Banbridge. Mrs Dobson said: "I welcome the withdrawal
04/07/2012
East Belfast MLA, Sammy Douglas has pressed for urgent and immediate action to address the flooding crisis across East Belfast. Speaking after an emergency debate in the chamber in which Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy answered questions from MLAs he said: "We have witnessed exceptiona
03/07/2012
The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) has announced that it is withdrawing its Judicial Review against the proposed out of town Tesco hypermarket at Bridgewater Park in Banbridge. NIIRTA Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: "We have decided not to continue with this legal
03/07/2012
South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey has held a meeting with both the Minister of Finance, Sammy Wilson, and the Minister for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy, in relation to the extensive flooding which occurred in South Belfast last week. Speaking following this meeting, the South Belfast MLA stated:
03/07/2012
Queen's University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Peter Gregson, has announced an ambitious investment programme over the next four years totalling £200 million. Speaking at the beginning of the summer graduation ceremonies, the Vice-Chancellor said: "This announcement is good news for Queen’s Un
03/07/2012
Alliance Regional Development spokesperson Stewart Dickson MLA has brought the Regional Development to the floor of the Assembly to answer questions on the flooding across Northern Ireland last week. Mr Dickson tabled an urgent oral question that the Minister has been forced to answer in the Assem
03/07/2012
T. J. O'Connor & Associates are pleased to announce the launch of our new website coinciding with our 75th year of providing civil and structural engineering design services for major national infrastructural projects and major iconic developments. We are an independent professional organisation pr
03/07/2012
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has launched a public consultation on the future development of the Glen Road area of west Belfast. DSD is seeking the views of local people on the draft Glen Road Development Framework. Minister McCausland said: "This Development Framework has potentia
03/07/2012
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald will officially open the Crumlin Childcare Centre, Pearse Memorial Park, Windmill Road, Crumlin today, Tuesday 3rd July, at 6.45pm. This part VIII planning facility, at the site formerly occupied by the caretaker’s bungalow, was approv
03/07/2012
Shane McEntee, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for forestry, officially announced the opening of two new offices by Forest Enterprises Limited and the launch of its new website, at a function at the company’s Headquarters in Lucan, Co
03/07/2012
Roads Service has started resurfacing work between Sleep Valley and the Stonebridge Roundabout. The works will include new carriageway surfacing and improvements to the drainage and hard shoulders where necessary. It has been agreed to coordinate these works with improvements required to facilitate
02/07/2012
The first of the Coast Guard’s new Sikorsky S92 helicopters held a fly-by on its first day of operation at Goleen, Co. Cork, where Minister Varadkar formally opened the new Coast Guard Station. Minister Varadkar said: "This is a doubly special weekend for the Coast Guard, as the first of its four n
02/07/2012
Pupils from Downshire Primary School, Hillsborough, are celebrating after coming runner up in the Primary STEM Challenge award at the Young Innovators exhibition at the Odyssey arena. As part of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Smart Energy Project, the primary school was tasked
02/07/2012
Alliance Chief Whip Stewart Dickson MLA ha said that we must heavily invest in our water system to avoid a repeat of the flooding this week. Stewart Dickson MLA said: "There is no question that we must heavily invest in our water system following the devastation caused by the flooding this week. "
02/07/2012
Spark’s will fly as Electric Ireland and Dublin Web Summit partner to find Ireland’s hottest startup. The Electric Ireland Spark Of Genius competition aims to find the best tech startup in Ireland. The Spark Of Genius, now in its third year is Ireland’s leading startup competition. Running alongsid
02/07/2012
Fine Gael TD for Dublin South Central, Catherine Byrne, has called on Dublin City Council to prioritise maintenance work on vacant units, to help alleviate the current housing crisis in the city. Deputy Byrne has expressed her concern at the number of vacant units or 'voids' on the Council's books
02/07/2012
Fianna Fáil TD for Laois Offaly, Barry Cowen, has called on the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, Brian Hayes TD, to establish a protocol to open flood gates when weather warnings are issued. Deputy Cowen commented: "Summer flooding along the Shannon has become more frequent and seve
02/07/2012
Speaking following the publication of the Personal Insolvency Bill, Sinn Féin finance spokesperson, Pearse Doherty TD, welcomed the legislation which he said was long overdue, but said that it was a disappointment to the thousands of families in mortgage distress who were eagerly awaiting it. Deput
