Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for September 2014
30/09/2014
Dublin is experiencing a serious housing shortage according to the first publication on Ireland's stock of residential properties, commissioned by GeoDirectory. By cross referencing the Property Price Register (PPR), the CSO Census of Population and the GeoDirectory Database, the report offers new
30/09/2014
Fianna Fáil has hit out at the Government after it was revealed the public will pay Irish Water's consultancy bill in water charges due to commence tomorrow, Wednesday 1 October. The party's Environment Spokesperson, Barry Cowen TD, said confirmation came from the Energy Regulator who was tasked wi
30/09/2014
Health and Safety Works NI (HSWNI) is holding a series of five workshops which will explain how to prepare a method statement and a construction health and safety plan. The workshops, aimed at owners or safety officers of small construction companies, will make use of templates and worked examples,
30/09/2014
A £30,000 puffin crossing has been announced for Cullybackey. The crossing, located on the Ballymena Road, will be adjacent to the Buick Memorial Primary School and will be operational from 1 October 2014. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: "My Department is committed to improving both road sa
30/09/2014
A £350,000 junction improvement scheme on the A26 Moira Road has been completed. Work started on the project in June and was completed on schedule before the end of September. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: "I am pleased to announce that the scheme to provide new right turning pockets on t
30/09/2014
Sinn Fein has once again said they will reverse water charges over the course of any government in which the party is involved. Spokesperson on the Environment and Local Government, Brian Stanley TD, has also reiterated Sinn Féin's opposition to water charges. He was responding to an announcement
29/09/2014
Irish utility ESB has selected Pelamis Wave Power as one of just two technology developers to progress to the next stage of a competitive procurement process for the deployment of Pelamis wave machines on the west coast of Ireland. WestWave is a 5MW capacity project led by ESB, which has secured €
29/09/2014
The Government has been criticised over its approach on tackling climate change. The Green Party said comments by Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the Climate Change Summit, New York, that "Ireland will play its role as part of the EU contribution to the global effort", belie the fact that the government ar
29/09/2014
Funding has been approved to build two new classrooms at St Mary's National School in Knockcroghery. A central activities room and a learning support room is to be constructed after the allocation was sanctioned by the School Building Unit at the Department of Education. Fine Gael candidate in the
29/09/2014
Fine Gael has welcomed the steps being taken to address the housing crisis in Dublin. Dublin South Central TD, Deputy Catherine Byrne was speaking during a Private Member's Motion on housing in the Dáil and highlighted what is being done to alleviate the current demands on housing, as well as to ad
29/09/2014
Sinn Fein is being accused of "rigging" a public consultation process in relation to the local property tax (LPT). Labour TD Arthur Spring said reports that Sinn Fein members themselves wrote a vast majority of public submissions on the local property tax in Kerry, revealed a shocking manipulation
29/09/2014
Sinn Féin is calling on the Government to answer serious questions regarding the way Phil Hogan handled the situation about his knowledge of the €50m spent on consultancy services attached to the establishment of Irish Water. Deputy Gerry Adams made the comments following fresh revelations on RTÉ R
26/09/2014
Sinn Fein has pledged to scrap water charges if voted in government. Sinn Fein Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD also said that the public already pay for water through general taxation and that it is deeply unfair to heap the charge onto the shoulders of ordinary people who have borne the cost of
26/09/2014
An excavator has been damaged on site of the Strathfoyle Wastewater Pumping Station in Northern Ireland. NI Water is appealing to anyone with information about the break in to contact the police. Grahame Millar from NI Water said: "During the break in, there was an attempted theft and operation of
26/09/2014
The second phase of the 'Qualifying the Existing Workforce' initiative has been launched at the Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB) Nutts Corner Training Centre. The 'Qualifying the Existing Workforce' project aims to qualify 1,000 currently unqualified, experienced, employed constructio
26/09/2014
TOMRA Sorting has officially opened its new art facility in Citywest, Dublin. The new centre of excellence is set to improve the research and development capabilities of its food sorting and peeling business. The investment is supported by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation through
26/09/2014
The Minister of State for Forestry, Tom Hayes TD, presented certificates to a number of firms newly certified under the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance Scheme. The certificates were handed out at the Ploughing Championships at Ratheniska, Co Laois, which is run by the Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA
26/09/2014
The Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government today launched Green Procurement Guidance for the public sector at the Environment Ireland conference. The guidance was prepared by the EPA in collaboration with a number of State Agencies and Government Departments. It is a practical res
26/09/2014
CITB NI has hosted its first ever Heritage Specialist Apprenticeship Programme in Wood Occupations in Northern Ireland. Eleven local experienced carpenters and joiners completed the first 10 days of a 20 day off-the-job training programme delivered at Nutts Corner Training Centre. The training p
26/09/2014
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is to host a public information day to reveal the results on a vast array of finds from the excavations at Drumclay Crannog in Fermanagh. Local people will also find out more about the significance of the site and its story about life in medieval Irela
25/09/2014
Housing must been seen as a basic right, according to Labour TD Derek Nolan. The Minister said that a weak policy existed under the previous Government which resulted in a housing crisis. He said: "It (Govt) did not build any social housing and simply handed it over to the rental market. Unwinding
25/09/2014
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has announced that he will chair a Steering Group to advise on the finalisation of the Energy Policy Paper. Alex White made the announcement as he opened the next phase of the public consultation process. He confirmed that John Fitzgera
25/09/2014
Sinn Féin is urging the government to introduce an extensive programme of public housing. The party believes this would prove to be both more economic and an effective solution to the current housing crisis. Spokesperson on Local Government, Brian Stanley TD, said: "Not only has the Residential Ac
25/09/2014
Labour has welcomed the announcement that a design team has been appointed to construct the new National Children's Hospital in Dublin. Eric Byrne TD said that it will bring the project a step closer to completion. He added: "International design practice BDP has been chosen as architects for the
25/09/2014
A masterplan has been launched to improve the Greater Ballysillan area in north Belfast. The Greater Ballysillan Masterplan proposes the creation of a sustainable neighbourhood, as well as a new civic and commercial centre at Ballysillan Road that could bring improved retail, leisure and recreation
25/09/2014
A social housing scheme for people over 55 years of age has officially opened in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland. The £3.6m scheme, located at Redwoods, is known as the Semper Building. The development provides 44 one- and two-bedroom apartments for applicants from the social housing waiting list. All
25/09/2014
£2.8m in European funding has been secured to progress with the proposed Transport Hub In Belfast, it has been announced. The funding will be used to take forward a technical development study for the hub which is planned for the site of the existing Great Victoria Street train and bus station in B
25/09/2014
The provisional Northern Ireland Planning Development Management Statistics April - June 2014 published today shows a rise in the first quarter in planning applications. The report shows the first quarter-on-quarter increase in planning applications received since quarter three 2009/10, and is the
25/09/2014
KCC Architectural is delighted to be associated with ORTUS, the exciting learning and events centre based in Camberwell, South London. ORTUS was the unanimous overall winner at the inaugural Schueco Excellence Awards for Design & Innovation in association with RIBA journal. The judges expressed a
24/09/2014
The green light has been given for the Belfast Waterfront to undergo a £29.5 million extension. The proposed extension will provide new conference and exhibition facilities augmenting the existing Belfast Waterfront and incorporating multi-functional spaces, ancillary dining facilities, offices and
24/09/2014
BDP has been selected as architects to design the new children's hospital on the St James's Hospital site in Dublin. The new hospital will provide 384 in-patient beds including 62 critical care beds, there will be 85 daycare beds, 14 theatres in total and 111 outpatient consulting examination rooms
24/09/2014
Construction jobs are to be created following planning approval for a new community building in Dungannon, Northern Ireland. The new building, totalling 2,140 sq mts over three floors will allow South Tyrone Empowerment Programme (STEP) to further its aims by providing community facilities in the f
24/09/2014
The architects of the Lyric Theatre have won the Royal Gold Medal, which is approved personally by Her Majesty The Queen. Architects Sheila O'Donnell and John Tuomey were given the award in recognition of a lifetime's work. The Royal Gold Medal is the world's most prestigious architecture award.
24/09/2014
Sinn Féin has proposed a motion of measures to tackle the current housing crisis in Ireland. Speaking in the Dáil yesterday (23 September), Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Dessie Ellis, said the government must "act now" in order to stop the rise in homelessness. Deputy Ellis said: "Sinn Fein has p
24/09/2014
Sinn Féin is calling for inadequate street lighting in the Mount Eagles area in west Belfast to be addressed immediately. MLA Jennifer McCann said lives are being put at risk and has written to Minister Danny Kennedy to resolve to situation. She said: "Residents in the Mount Eagles area have been
24/09/2014
Sports clubs in Ireland are now exempt from paying commercial rates on the non-profit parts of their building, it has been announced. Labour Senator John Kelly welcomed the decision and said the exemptions will significantly reduce the rate bills of the clubs. He said: "To date, sports clubs were
24/09/2014
ESB has came out on top in two categories at the 2014 Chambers Ireland CSR Awards. A team from Generation and Wholesale Markets won in the Excellence in Environment Category for the Ardnacrusha Sustainability Project. ESB's Health and Wellbeing team won in the Excellence in the Workplace Category
23/09/2014
Stryker Instruments has confirmed plans to build a new foot surgical innovation centre in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork. The new 44,000 square foot centre which will fuel future growth for Stryker, will focus on the research and development of products, technologies and solutions to reduce surgical proced
23/09/2014
South Dublin County Council (SDCC) has agreed to cut the property tax rate by 15%, by a margin of 36 to 1. Fine Gael Dublin South West bye-election candidate, Senator Cáit Keane, said she was pleased to see that Councillors voted to reduce the property tax. She said: "This will save residents of t
23/09/2014
The 83rd National Ploughing Championships started today in Co Laois and Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Michelle O'Neill attended the event. The Minister also met with other representatives from a range of firms who were exhibiting at the event in Ratheniska. She said: "Fundamentally th
23/09/2014
The Labour Party is accusing Sinn Fein of performing an about turn on their position on water charges. Labour Party by-election candidate for Dublin South West, Councillor Pamela Kearns, said that while the Labour Party had been working hard on a package of measures to assist low income households
23/09/2014
Funding has been approved for work to be carried out at two schools in Roscommon and Taughmaconnell. Electrical works are to be carried out at St Ronan's National School, while roof repairs to be undertaken at the Convent of Mercy Secondary School. Fine Gael candidate in the Roscommon/South Leitri
23/09/2014
New proposals to reduce the risk of future flooding in Northern Ireland have been introduced. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan, said the new policy will prevent development close to reservoirs unless developers provide assurances about reservoir safety. The initiatives, agreed by the Executive
23/09/2014
A Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) planning application has been lodged to An Bord Pleanála to replace the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) i Dundrum with a new modern facility. Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch T.D. said: "The decision of An Bord Pleaná
23/09/2014
A £135,000 capital investment has been announced to improve the Moira Road at Upper Ballinderry in Lisburn. The work is due to begin on Monday 6th October. Resurfacing of the road in the vicinity of Lough Road is expected to be complete by Sunday 2nd November. Works will be underway daily between
23/09/2014
Sinn Féin is demanding a "significant long term investment" by the state to build new homes. The party also launched a motion which calls on the government to introduce a suite of measures to tackle the crisis including a 1 billion euro house building programme, rent controls, Local Authority trust
23/09/2014
Greyhound Recovery and Recycling workouts have reached an agreement, which puts an end to the 14-week long lockout at the firm. The ballot followed intense negotiations over the weekend between SIPTU union representatives and the management of the waste disposal company. SIPTU Utilities and Const
22/09/2014
Covanta has announced an agreement with Dublin City Council to build, own and operate a new 600,000-metric tonne per year, 58-net megawatt Energy-from-Waste facility in Dublin, Ireland. The Company also announced that it has achieved financial close on a comprehensive project financing package an
22/09/2014
Fine Gael has submitted a motion proposing a maximum 15% cut in the Local Property Tax rate for 2015. Each local authority has the power to vary the tax within its area up or down on an annual basis by a maximum of 15%, and the Fine Gael Councillors are supporting a full 15% cut in the city for 201
22/09/2014
ESB Networks has opened a new electricity distribution control centre in South Dublin. The centre provides the capacity to centrally control Ireland's electricity distribution network. The new control centre uses technology to centrally manage electricity flows around the network, allowing safer m
22/09/2014
The Chair of Dublin City Council's Housing Committee is calling on the government to immediately address the housing crisis. Sinn Féin Councillor Críona Ní Dhálaigh referred to the current housing crisis as a "man-made" crisis, at a conference organised by Impact trade union. She said the crisis c
22/09/2014
More than €54,000 in funding has been allocated for immediate conservation works at Vernon Mount House in Frankfield, Cork; the College Garden Boundary Wall at St Mary's College, Youghal, Cork and at Ballysampson House in Wexford. Vernon Mount House is a late 18th Century villa of significant speci
22/09/2014
The news of a new Dairygold development has prioritised work on the Mallow ring road. Fine Gael TD for Cork East and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Tom Barry TD, has welcomed the investment of €117m at Dairygold in Mallow and Mitchelstown, and the news that
22/09/2014
The road lighting scheme in the Markethill area has been extended. The £45,000 capital scheme will extend the existing lighting at the A28 Gosford Road junction with Main Street Markethill to also cover the junction of Gosford Road and the B78 Mullaghbrack Road. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy sa
22/09/2014
Local firm Whitemountain, part of the Lagan Group, is ready to tee off just in time for the Ryder Cup at the world class Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, Scotland, following its completion of a £3m construction project. Whitemountain provides quality services in the construction, quarrying and civil
22/09/2014
Householders are being urged to be aware of the dangers associated with carbon monoxide as part Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week which begins today, 22 September. The main aim of the week is to raise public awareness of the causes and symptoms, as well as the protection measures for this highly poiso
22/09/2014
A road improvement scheme in Belfast is scheduled to begin next Monday (29 September). The scheme on the Stewartstown Road includes resurfacing a section of carriageway between Michael Ferguson Roundabout and Bell Steel Road. This will be carried out over three nights from Monday 29 September to
19/09/2014
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) is investing £1.3 million to upgrade almost 300 east Belfast homes with new gas heating. Since last month, the NIHE has been working in the Knocknagoney and Inverary areas of east Belfast improving the heating in tenants' homes. Existing pipework, rad
19/09/2014
The Minister for Environment is being called to clarify which medical conditions will qualify people for discounts on Irish Water Charges. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Environment, Barry Cowen TD said that former Minister Hogan said months ago he was going to meet with the Minister for Health to con
19/09/2014
Improvements to the sewerage infrastructure in the Ballygally area is to recommence on the Coast Road on Monday 22nd September. The work is expected to take approximately 10 weeks. The purpose of this work is to upgrade the sewers in order to improve the integrity and capacity of the existing infr
19/09/2014
The European Central Bank (ECB) is being called to act following 'rip-off' interest rates on new mortgage loans and SME's. Fianna Fail said the failure of the main banks in Ireland to pass on successive ECB rate cuts to SMEs, variable rate mortgage holders and other personal borrowers, needs to be
19/09/2014
The brochure highlights the wide range KCC offers to residential projects including: external door hardware, hinges, handles, knobs, closers, locks and cylinders. The brochure also illustrates KCC range of window fittings, post boxes, bathroom fittings, silicone and adhesives and a wide range of oth
19/09/2014
Home insurance is being refused to owners of pyrite remediated properties. Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has raised concerns and said the issue must be addressed immediately. He said: "I understand that this is a stressful issue for homeowners, particularly as my own residence was
19/09/2014
Road works due to take place in Strabane this weekend have been deferred. The works would have caused traffic chaos for Donegal supporters travelling to Dublin from the North West SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan said: "As soon as I became aware of the GAA concerns for supporters' journeys I contacted th
19/09/2014
Labour Senator Aideen Hayden in once again calling again for a serious national debate on rent certainty for tenants. One in five families in Ireland now live in homes rented from a private landlord and the numbers are rising. She said: "Renting is a long-term reality for many families in this co
19/09/2014
A community garden and the recently installed Geodesic Dome in Dublin is to be officially opened by the Lord Mayor tomorrow, Saturday 20th September. Located on Reuben Street, the Lord Mayor, Christy Burke, said: "I am delighted to be associated with this community garden here in the heart of Rialt
19/09/2014
Northern Ireland has the best bathing water quality in Europe. In 2014, 16 of NI's 23 identified bathing waters met the higher guideline or 'Excellent' standard for water quality set in the EU Bathing Water Directive. A further six of the 23 met the mandatory 'Good' standard. One bathing water at C
18/09/2014
Annual growth in the Dublin private rented market in the year to the end of June this year was 10.5%, with Dublin house rents up by 8.5% and Dublin apartment rents up by 12.1%. In contrast, annual growth in rents for the market outside Dublin was more subdued, recording growth of 2.6% when compare
18/09/2014
Dublin residents held a peaceful protest today to prevent the contractors from installing water meters in their homes. Sinn Féin's Councillor Daithí Doolan has congratulated the residents in Drimnagh and Bluebell. Speaking in Drimnagh, Doolan said: "Local people came out this morning and peacefull
18/09/2014
Resolute Marine Energy has completed the registration of its own subsidiary in Ireland, Resolute Marine Limited (RML), based in Cork. RML will soon move its operations from Dublin to the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster (IMERC) campus at the National Maritime College of Ireland. "We're v
18/09/2014
Housing Minister Nelson McCausland is being accused of continuing to 'massage' housing figures to suit his narrative on waiting lists. SDLP Social Development spokesperson, Dolores Kelly MLA, said the Minister has issued misleading statistics on the relative housing waiting list for Catholics and P
18/09/2014
Some £4m has been invested in roads infrastructure in the Castlereagh Borough Council area in 2013/2014. Speaking ahead of this evening's meeting between DRD and Castlereagh Borough Council, Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: "My Department has invested over £135million in structural maintenanc
18/09/2014
Businesses are set to benefit from a £300,000 revitalisation scheme for Limvady. The scheme will be used to enhance retail premises in Main Street and Linenhall Street. Some businesses will benefit from the improvements which include the replacement of windows, drainpipes and guttering and the pain
18/09/2014
Planning has been approved to build a new primary health care centre in Finglas, Dublin. The new centre, located on Mellowes Road in Finglas West, will have space for 10 GP clinics, and will provide a single point of contact to a number of medical services such as nursing, physiotherapy, occupation
18/09/2014
The SDLP is calling on the NI Executive to regenerate the entire Fort George site in L'Derry. Welcoming the opening of the North West Regional Science Park at the site, SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood said the lack of progress in redeveloping the remainder of the site raises questions. Mr Eastwood said: "
18/09/2014
Fine Gael is being urged to 'cut through the fudge' on Irish Water bills for homes with contaminated water supplies. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Environment and Local Government, Barry Cowen TD, said: "Fianna Fáil has been working for months to secure an exemption from Irish Water bills for people
18/09/2014
A lorry has overturned on the access road at the entrance of the proposed Poolbeg Incinerator site. No-one was injured in the incident which occurred on Tuesday. However, the Green Party has hit out following the incident, claiming that "this is the wrong site". Cllr Claire Byrne, representative
17/09/2014
Fianna Fáil is calling for households with contaminated water supplies to be exempt from water charges. The Water Service Amendment Bill 2014 is due to be debated during Private Members Business in the Dáil today. Spokesperson on Environment Barry Cowen said: "There are thousands of families and b
17/09/2014
Irish renewable energy firm, Gaelectric, has acquired Imperative Energy Ltd. Founded in 2007, Imperative Energy Ltd. has completed over 70 biomass installations totalling over 40MW in energy capacity, with a further 10 projects currently under construction. Gaelectric Group CEO, Brendan McGrath,
17/09/2014
Environment Minister Alan Kelly is being urged to make clear whether prefab buildings are being considered in response to the housing crisis. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing, Michael Kitt TD, was reacting to speculation that Dublin City Council is considering offering families that have nowhere
17/09/2014
A man has been fined £14,000 for pollution offences at Dungannon Crown Court. Mr Seamus McAnenly, from Moy Bridge, Co Monaghan, was fined for making polluting discharges to a waterway. On four separate occasions between 5 and 7 November 2011; 17 November 2011; 29 February 2012 and 6 April 2012, a
17/09/2014
Planning permission has been approved for a new £32m mental health facility on the Belfast City Hospital site. The new-build facility for the Belfast Trust will include a 74-bed acute mental health unit and a six-bed psychiatric intensive care unit. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: "For t
17/09/2014
The Chief Executive of NI Water has confirmed that no water meters are to be installed in domestic or residential properties. Sinn Féin Councillor Stephen Magennis has welcomed the announcement. He said: "Sinn Féin attended a presentation by Chief Executive of NI Water Sara Venning. At this meetin
17/09/2014
The Government has been slammed for deliberately preventing attempts to reduce the Property Tax in Dublin. Fianna Fáil is accusing the government of failing to outline the grants which the Council will receive. Next Monday, Dublin City Council will formally consider the reduction in the Local Prop
17/09/2014
A £95,000 road improvement scheme is to begin in Lisburn. The scheme will be on the Moira Road at Upper Ballinderry, and it is due to start next Monday, 22nd September. Resurfacing of the road in the vicinity of Chapel Road is expected to be complete by Sunday 12th October. Works will be underway
17/09/2014
Two major art sculptures, which are part of environmental improvement works, have been unveiled in Lurgan and Portadown town centres. The Department for Social Development has provided part funding of £322,000 for the sculptures aim to enhance the physical appearance of the town centres. Speaking
17/09/2014
More people in Northern Ireland are finding it increasingly difficult to pay household rates because of the recession and Tory austerity policies, according to Sinn Féin. MLA Daithí McKay said there has been a six-fold increase in the number of people forced to seek special arrangements for househo
16/09/2014
The majority of homes in Dublin city have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of D1 or lower, according to figures released by Dublin's energy agency Codema. The Dublin City Sustainable Energy Action Plan analysed the energy ratings of almost 60,000 homes and applied the results to the Dublin city housi
16/09/2014
A pensioner has died after a wall collapsed on him in Bandon, Co Cork. The 72-year-old man was out walking at around 3.30pm on Monday, when a wall at St Patrick's Quay collapsed on top of him, according to gardai. The man was pronounced dead at the scene and a post-mortem is due to be carried out.
16/09/2014
The European Commission has been asked to intervene to resolve a dispute encountered by Irish construction firms, Sisk, SIAC and Roadbridge, under the Polish Roads Programme. Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes said the dispute goes back to 2012 and in excess of €250 million has been lost and many hundreds o
16/09/2014
Fianna Fáil is calling for an urgent meeting of the Council's Housing Committee to deal with a report which could see 1,500 homes built on council-owned lands. The report, presented to Councillors in July, seeks "expressions of interest from partners to work collaboratively to design, build, financ
16/09/2014
The British Government is being urged to implement an 'energy efficiency' buildings strategy. The strategy would help reduce fuel bills and alleviate fuel poverty. SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan is supporting the parliamentary motion. Mr Durkan said: "One of the most important infrastructure prioritie
16/09/2014
Contractors working on road projects in 2013/2014 which accounted for a £7million investment in the roads infrastructure in the Craigavon area have been commended. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: "My Department invested over £130million in structural maintenance, improving many miles of the
16/09/2014
The government is being asked again to urgently introduce legislation to protect mortgage holders whose mortgages have been sold to unregulated entities. Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Finance, Deputy Michael McGrath said the news that Investec has sold Start Mortgages to private equity firm Lone Sta
16/09/2014
Building has started on a new €25m Irish whiskey distillery in County Carlow. The founders of the independent Walsh Whiskey Distillery are Bernard and Rosemary Walsh. It is located at Royal Oak, by the banks of the River Barrow. Situated on an 18th Century estate, comprising of 40 acres of pastora
15/09/2014
NAMA will fund the delivery of 4,500 new homes up to the end of 2016 in Dublin its CEO Brendan McDonagh announced at The National Housing Supply Conference. It is also progressing sites linked to its debtors and Receivers through design and planning processes with a potential to deliver up to a tot
15/09/2014
The newly refurbished St Peter's Tin Tabernacle is now complete. The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, congratulated the Laragh Heritage Community Group for its successful restoration project. The Minister said: "I would like to offer my huge congratulations to t
15/09/2014
A £130,000 capital road improvement scheme has started at Hospital Road in Magherafelt. The reconstruction of the footways and resurfacing of the carriageway of a 550 metre stretch of Hospital Road from Garden Street to the main access to the Mid-Ulster Hospital is expected to take around five week
15/09/2014
The Department of the Environment (DOE) and Newry, Mourne and Down Council have partnered to prepare for transfer of planning powers. The joint project will see Newry people having planners on their doorstep for the first time. At present DOE Planning for Newry, Mourne and Down operates from Rath
15/09/2014
The Inspector of Prisons has commended the refurbishment of the main building of Mountjoy Prison Campus, and said the work being carried out is of an extremely high standard. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald TD, published a report by the Inspector of Prisons, Judge Mich
15/09/2014
Fianna Fáil is urging the government to overhaul its policy response to the level of mortgage arrears in the buy-to-let sector. Recent data shows a 27% rate of arrears among the buy-to-let sector, with 21% of accounts in arrears for more than 90 days. Spokesperson for the party, Michael McGrath, s
15/09/2014
The new Intreo Centre in Wexford has officially opened. Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, T.D. officially opened the Department's new centre in Anne Street, Wexford. The new Intreo Centre offers a one-stop shop where, for the first time, Wexford jobseekers can access inco
15/09/2014
SSE Airtricity has announced it is holding its regulated natural gas prices for its domestic and small business customers at current levels until April 2015. The news means that its almost 119,0001 natural gas customers in the Greater Belfast area will have enjoyed an effective gas price freeze for
12/09/2014
A forecast has revealed Belfast has high levels of air pollution. Moderate levels of air pollution are being monitored in Lisburn, Armagh and Newry. The air quality forecast indicates that the pollution will disperse through the day. Similar pollution levels may occur tomorrow morning (Saturday),
12/09/2014
Fianna Fáil is calling for a Ministerial Order which will charge commercial rates on vacant properties to be annulled / Senator Mark Daly says a Government vote against a Fianna Fáil motion on commercial rates will decimate rural towns and villages. Under proposed legislation, Fine Gael and Labour
12/09/2014
A major break has occurred on the water network coming out of Sixmilebridge to Kilmurry, near Sooreeny Cross, according to Clare County Council. The following areas will be without water or have reduced water supply until further notice, Kilmurry, Quin, Kilkishen, O’Callaghans Mills and Tulla. T
12/09/2014
A father and son from Dromore have been fined over £20,000 for a planning offence. Declan and Martin Colton both of Aughadulla Road, Dromore, Omagh, were each fined £10,000 plus costs of £600 at Omagh Magistrates' Court. Both were found guilty for non compliance with a DOE Planning Enforcement Not
12/09/2014
A capital project to provide 290 metres of new link road and new footways at Gospel Lane in Banbridge is to start. With support from Banbridge Council, representing a total investment of approximately £500,000, the work is expected to begin on 22nd September. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said:
12/09/2014
The Minister for Environment has warned waste collection firms they are in the "last chance saloon" following new reforms. Minister Alan Kelly announced that Mandatory Service Levels and Customer Charter for Waste Collectors are to be introduced next year. Speaking at the Environment Ireland Confe
12/09/2014
Planning has been approved for a 60-acre extension to Belfast Harbour. The proposed extension will provide additional land for port-related uses by reclaiming approximately 60 acres of land from Belfast Lough beyond the end of the existing Victoria Terminal 4. Environment Minister Mark H Durkan s
12/09/2014
Greyhound Recovery and Recycle workers are currently in negotiations aimed at reaching a solution to the 13 week lockout of workers by the waste disposal company. The talks began following the company’s agreement to enter into "meaningful talks" and a decision by the workers to lift a blockade of t
11/09/2014
Diageo, the owner of Guinness and Baileys brands, has opened a new brewery in Dublin. The Brewhouse No. 4 is located at St James' Gate. The building of the new brewery was the largest construction project in Ireland in 2012. The facility is 10,000 square metres and will see the 255-year-old, 55-a
11/09/2014
The National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) has confirmed that funding is in place to deliver over 4,000 new properties over the next 18 months. At the National Housing Supply Conference, NAMA's CEO Brendan McDonagh, said 12 areas in Dublin have been identified and building is set to begin. In tot
11/09/2014
Irish Water has issued an apology to its customers after incorrect names appeared on correspondence issued to 6,329 individuals. This month, Irish Water is sending out customer application packs and letters to over two million householders to enable customers to confirm their details and to ensure
11/09/2014
Flooding in the Dungiven area of L'Derry is to be fully investigated. SDLP East Derry MLA John Dallat has welcomed the decision and he believes blocked culverts upstream are causing the problem. Questioning the Agricultural Minister Michelle O'Neill he said: "The Minister may well be aware that at
11/09/2014
Sinn Féin is calling for the Long Kesh prison site to be opened to the public. MLA Raymond McCartney was speaking ahead of the European Heritage Open Days which will be held this weekend. He said: "In previous years visitors and historical groups were able to visit the Long Kesh site and had acces
11/09/2014
A £145,000 resurfacing project in Lord Street, Belfast, is to begin next week. The scheme, due to start on 15th September, is expected to take approximately five weeks to complete. The works will be undertaken using local traffic management arrangements and access will be maintained for residents
11/09/2014
Every domestic ratepayer in Northern Ireland will receive an Annual Rates Statement, starting from next year. The Annual Rates Statement, which will accompany rates bills, will give each ratepayer an indication of how much they are contributing through their rates to the provision of public service
11/09/2014
A new scheme has launched to help 33,000 Northern Ireland households who are in fuel poverty. The Affordable Warmth Scheme will provide energy efficiency improvement measures such as cavity wall insulation, draught proofing, new boiler installation and repairing or replacing ineffective window fram
10/09/2014
A €16.9 million Dublin City Council housing development has been officially opened by the President of Ireland. Mr Michael D. Higgins opened Thornton Heights, as part of the regeneration of St Michael's Estate, Inchicore on Tuesday 9th September. Covering 2 acres of a 14 acre site, Thornton Height
10/09/2014
The Green Party is calling for Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly, to outline why he is choosing to go down the Poolbeg incinerator route. Green Party Leader, Eamon Ryan, said the Managers of the four Dublin authorities need to await government direction before
10/09/2014
Nest Labs is preparing to launch the Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Protect: Smoke + Carbon Monoxide alarm in Ireland later this month. Nest products will initially be sold in approximately 400 retail stores across Europe with another 150 stores to be added by the end of the year. Nest also an
10/09/2014
A £215,000 carriageway resurfacing scheme is to begin at Sandyknowes Roundabout in Northern Ireland. The work is to start on Monday 15 September and is expected to be completed by Friday 26 September 2014. In order to minimise traffic disruption, all work will be carried out using overnight road c
10/09/2014
Sinn Féin is to meet with the chief executive of InfraStrata next week to discuss concerns over plans to drill a petroleum exploration well near Carrickfergus. Sinn Féin MLA Oliver McMullan met with protesters concerned about the prospect of drilling in the Carrickfergus area and contacted the com
10/09/2014
A £335,000 road improvement project has been announced for L'Derry. Preliminary work will begin on the Buncrana Road from Branch Roundabout to Skeoge Roundabout on 20th September, with the main resurfacing being undertaken between 27th September and 28th September. The scheme is expected to be su
10/09/2014
Aico has confirmed it will be exhibiting again at this year's Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) Conference, on 23-24 October 2014. Aico will show visitors how to get value for money from alarm installation and maintenance programmes and demonstrate their award winning alar
10/09/2014
A consultation event on proposals for developer contributions was held today, Wednesday 10th September, at the Templeton Hotel in Templepatrick. Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland and Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, attended and hosted the event. The event was attended by around 1
10/09/2014
Northern Ireland's estate agents are legally required to join one of three Government-authorised consumer redress schemes, or they face fines and possibly being closed down by Trading Standards. The warning comes from Sean Hooker, the Head of Redress at the Property Redress Scheme, which was recent
10/09/2014
Antrim Borough Council's Castle Gardens has scooped Biodiversity Project of the Year, at the Sustainable Ireland Awards. The award, which was sponsored by ISL Waste Management, is presented to the organisation or individual who has shown or demonstrated through a managed programme or project, how t
09/09/2014
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed it has acquired the site at Mount Carmel Hospital in Dublin for €11 million. The property, which requires some renovation, offers an opportunity to develop an integrated pathway of care for patients of the acute hospitals in the greater Dublin area.
09/09/2014
AIRO, a free-to-use online monitoring tool that allows users to interrogate the geography of Dublin's housing, has been launched by Maynooth University in partnership with Dublin City Council. The interactive housing monitoring tool includes over 700 maps revealing changes in the spatial patterns o
09/09/2014
The Government's Social Housing Strategy will help address the issues of housing supply, according to the Labour party. Tánaiste Joan Burton was speaking at a meeting of Labour party activists in Dublin where more than 100 Councillors, local election candidates and members attended. She said: "The
09/09/2014
Major resurfacing works are to be carried out in the Armagh area in Northern Ireland. The A3 Middletown to Monaghan Road will see major resurfacing on a stretch of almost 2km. Resurfacing work and improvements are planned to take place on Monaghan Road and Main Street, Middletown, from Saturday 13
09/09/2014
Dublin City Council's meeting on the proposed Poolbeg incinerator has been branded a "sham" by Sinn Féin. Sinn Féin has campaigned against the proposed incinerator since it was first introduced in 1998. Dublin City Councillor, Daithí Doolan, said: "We need to tackle the crisis at source. To tackl
09/09/2014
Kilkenny has scooped the title of Ireland's Tidiest Town for 2014. A total of 840 towns and villages entered the SuperValu National TidyTowns competition this year. Alan Kelly, TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and Martin Kelleher, Managing Director of SuperValu, the
09/09/2014
Planning has been approved for a new £700,000 Veterinary Hospital to be developed in Downpatrick. The proposal is for a purpose built veterinary Hospital on the site of the former South Eastern Regional College building on Church Street, Downpatrick. The applicant, the Castle Veterinary Group, is
09/09/2014
A £225,000 road improvement scheme in Lurgan is to commence. Resurfacing work on a section of Union Street and Tandragee Road will begin on Monday 22 September and will be complete by Thursday 16 October. Union Street will be resurfaced from Millennium Way to Sloan Street. This portion of Union St
09/09/2014
The shortlist of Ireland's ESB Spark of Genius Award has been revealed. It includes 30 young Irish companies, representing the best of the Irish smart economy with innovative solutions in the areas of smart technology, mobile marketing and various other creative business areas. The 30 companies
09/09/2014
Fianna Fáil has accused the Taoiseach of 'dodging' important questions about the establishment of Irish Water. Spokesperson on Environment and Local Government, Barry Cowen, said the Taoiseach and his senior Ministers in the secretive Economic Management Council (EMC) still have an obligation to re
08/09/2014
Activity in the Irish construction sector has increased every month throughout the past year, according to the Ulster Bank's Construction PMI Report. Growth was supported by another steep rise in new orders, and companies were strongly optimistic that activity will continue to increase over the com
08/09/2014
An investment of €23m in capital funding has been announced to carry out improvement works to social houses in Ireland. €8m will be provided to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to social houses to meet needs of tenants with a disability or to address serious overcrowding. Under the
08/09/2014
The reports for Dublin City Council regarding the Poolbeg Incinerator are "deeply flawed" according to the Green Party. The Green Party has remained a constant opponent of the incinerator project due to the inadequate planning process and its inability to fit in with a sustainable waste management
08/09/2014
The SDLP has slammed the Government and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) for failing to close and clean-up Sellafield. The party is also calling for the plans to build a new nuclear build to be abandoned and to concentrate on renewable energies. SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said:
08/09/2014
Sinn Féin is calling for the Environment Minister to resign after refusing to answer questions of the full costs of establishing Irish Water. The leader of the party Gerry Adams is accusing Phil Hogan of previously denying knowledge of the full details. Mr Adams said: "Minister Hogan and his Depar
08/09/2014
Funding has been announced to carry out improvement works on the Donegall Road in Belfast. The £326,000 scheme between Shaftesbury Square and Euterpe Street involves the resurfacing of the carriageway and some localised footway resurfacing works. The scheme will be delivered over two phases and i
05/09/2014
South Dublin County Council (SDCC) is being urged to cut the property tax by 15% to help homeowners in Clondalkin, Lucan and Tallaght. Following the Government's decision yesterday, South Dublin will retain 80% of the property tax collected in the county. Labour TD Robert Dowds said: "Even with th
05/09/2014
Pennyburn Youth Club's extension plans have been given the go-ahead. SDLP Foyleside Councillor John Boyle has welcomed the plans for the youth club in L'Derry to undergo an overall refurbishment. He said: "The management and directors must be commended for their foresight and hard work towards sec
05/09/2014
A study to review the Preferred Corridor for the A28 Armagh East Link proposal is to be carried out. The Preferred Route runs from the A3 Portadown Road to the A28 Markethilll Road, forming a junction with the A51 Hamiltonsbawn Road. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy said: "I believe that this revi
05/09/2014
Landlords are being reminded that their rates must be paid in full by 30 September, to benefit from a reduction in their rate bills. There are two types of landlord accounts available. Under the Article 20 account, landlords get a 7.5% allowance and under the Article 21 account they get a 12.5% all
05/09/2014
Sinn Féin is calling for the expansion of Magee University to go ahead. Maeve McLaughlin MLA said it is vital for the development and regeneration of Derry. She also secured an adjournment debate on the campaign for the expansion. She said: "There is a political and civic consensus that the Magee
05/09/2014
An Innov-X hand held X-Ray Fluorescent (XRF) Analyzer has been stolen from a van in a hotel car park in Dundalk, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has announced. The device, used for analysing the properties of metals, soils, liquids and coatings, was stored in a black case. The device, whic
04/09/2014
Concerns have been raised after it was revealed 61% of households went cold last winter to save on their energy bills. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Michael Moynihan TD, said that one quarter of households in Ireland regularly turning off their heating in
04/09/2014
Plans to open an alcohol addiction unit at Nazareth House, L'Derry, have been scrapped. OakleeTrinity made the decision after considering the strength of concerns expressed and the call for the balance and mix of these proposals to be reconfigured to ensure the optimum use of a significant site. S
04/09/2014
The SDLP is calling for improvement works to be carried out in the Fern Park area of Galliagh. Residents have been contacting Derry City Councillor Brian Tierney with concerns about the grounds in the estate, and the poor condition the area is in. Councillor Tierney said: "I have visited the estat
04/09/2014
Safeguard Systems has been awarded 'Specialist Contractor of the Year' at this year's Irish Building & Design Awards. The ceremony was recently held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Ballsbridge. Almost 250 professionals turned out for the annual event, which attracts the best of Irish Building & Desig
04/09/2014
The implementation of the Local Property Tax (LPT) has been finalised by the government. 80% of LPT will be retained locally to fund vital public services in 2015 and the remaining 20% will be re-distributed to provide top-up funding to certain local authority areas that have lower property tax bas
04/09/2014
OakleeTrinity Housing Association is to invest over £3m on improving tenants bungalows in Bangor. The improvements programme includes the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms, double glazing windows, gas-fired central heating, cavity wall insulation. It will be carried out in six phases. Soc
03/09/2014
Irish engineering consultancy, ESB International, has won a €750,000, 18-month contract with Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO). The contract will see ESB International provide consultancy services for the design and implementation of TANESCO's centralised customer contact centre i
03/09/2014
Greyhound Recycling and Recovery workers locked out of their jobs have agreed to accept Labour Relations Commission (LRC) offer to engage in talks with representatives of the waste disposal company. A substantial majority of the workers, who are SIPTU menbers, voted in favour of engaging in the tal
03/09/2014
Ireland's Mainstream Renewable Power is to expand its existing business unit which delivers tailor-made wind and solar projects directly to large end-users. The company's pre-existing business model has been market-led, building large portfolios of wind and solar projects in selected countries. Th
03/09/2014
A training programme for Northern Ireland Councillors has begun to make sure they have the knowledge and skills to carry out planning functions. Planning functions transfer from central government to local councils in April 2015. Minister for the Environment Mark H Durkan said the training events
03/09/2014
Landlords are being urged to register on the Landlord Registration Scheme. The scheme requires all existing and new landlords to register and provide accurate and up to date information on themselves and their properties. Once registered, landlords are provided with up-to-date information and supp
03/09/2014
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has bee slammed for failing to find a resolution to a housing maintenance backlog in Strabane. SDLP West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne said the NIHE don't appear to appreciate the seriousness of the situation. He said: "During the past year we have seen a growi
02/09/2014
Preparatory work has begun on the Athlone-Mullingar Cycleway. Fine Gael Longford-Westmeath TD, Gabriel McFadden, welcomed the move. He said: "I have been informed by Westmeath County Council that preparatory work for the Athlone-Mullingar Cycleway commenced today, involving the removal of vegetati
02/09/2014
The Government has been slammed for refusing to deal with the ongoing mortgage crisis. Sinn Féin was speaking following the release of new figures from the Central Bank which show that there are still 90,343 mortgages in arrears of 90 days or more. Finance Spokesperson for the party, Pearse Dohert
02/09/2014
Work has commenced on a new upgrade of the Bluestone Business Park. The work is part of a £1.4m funding boost to football players in Brownlow. New changing facilities have been provided for the Amalgamated Football Club (AFC) in Craigavon, and a 3G pitch for Craigavon City Football Club. The upgr
02/09/2014
A new €17m Science Building has been officially opened by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The new building is based at the Institute of Technology in Sligo. The new facility will be known as the MacMunn Building, named after Charles Alexander MacMunn (1852-1911). He was a scientist, born in Easky, County
02/09/2014
The 'Talking Timber' event in Mullingar has officially opened. The event, which is being held in the Mullingar Park Hotel, is an annual forestry information and marketing initiative organised by Teagasc, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and with the co-operatio
02/09/2014
Eight Sinn Féin Councillors are to hold a 24-hour sleep out this Friday ( September) to highlight the county's housing crisis. The 'Build Homes' sleep out and fast will commence at 6pm and will take place at Kennedy Road/Navan Shopping Centre. Sinn Féin has also called for a motion for a state hou
02/09/2014
Work to deliver a package of road works along the A29 Ring Road in Coleraine has started. The work is between Lodge Road Roundabout and Ballycastle Road Roundabout. The contract to deliver £670,000 of capital schemes has been awarded to Patrick Bradley Limited. Work will start on the Ring Road t
01/09/2014
Graham Interior Fit-Out (GIFO) has secured a £4.5 million re-fit project for The Department of Employment & Learning. The project involves the internal re-fit of the ground and upper floors of its headquarters at Adelaide House in Belfast. The project is to run for 80 weeks and to be carried out i
01/09/2014
Sinn Féin is urging a proposal, which would see most of Moore Street and the 1916 'lanes of history' bulldozed, to be rejected. A meeting is to be held today on the issue by Dublin City Council. Sinn Féin Councillor, Mícheál Mac Donncha, said: "The management plan involves a so-called 'swap' of th
01/09/2014
A total of 630 inefficient boilers have been replaced in the North Down area through the boiler replacement scheme, it has been reported. With the scheme ending on 31 March next year, the Minister encouraged those who think they may be eligible to register by the end of December. The scheme offers
01/09/2014
A new pedestrian footbridge has officially opened at Moira Train Station. The project, funded by the Department for Regional Development, represents an investment of almost £400,000. Transport Minister Danny Kennedy, who opened the footbridge, said: "The construction project will provide increased
01/09/2014
The Alliance party has welcomed the decision to approve planning permission for Kinnegar Sewerage Works. North Down Alliance Councillor Andrew Muir Has said he is delighted with the decision and is looking forward to seeing machinery on site. Councillor Muir added: "Despite repeated assurances fro
01/09/2014
RTE's new Midlands Regional Studio at Athlone Institute of Technology has officially opened. The official opening was performed by Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan. Fine Gael TD for Longford/Westmeath, Gabrielle McFadden, said: "The relocation of the Midlands studio from it
01/09/2014
More than £53,000 funding has been allocated to L'Derry City Council for the 'Pride In Our City' scheme. The funding will be used to provide the materials required to soft landscape the Culmore and Ballyarnet roundabouts located on main arterial routes into the city, as well as purchase additional
