Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Ireland Construction News Archive for April 2017
28/04/2017
NI Water and AG Wilson are to start work to upgrade the existing sewer on the Old Antrim Road in north Belfast. The work is expected to begin on 01 May and will take approximately six weeks. The proposed construction work will involve laying a section of sewer and associated manholes, which will i
28/04/2017
Fianna Fáil is urging the Government to invest in capital rail projects. TD for Dublin Fingal Darragh O'Brien made the call and said the current system will buckle under the pressure. Deputy O'Brien was speaking following a meeting which he arranged with senior management in Irish Rail about the
28/04/2017
Fianna Fáil claims the success of the new 'Land Bank Plan' will be measured by the number of social houses it delivers. Spokesperson on Housing Barry Cowen TD also said the plan alone will not solve the housing crisis and called for a greater effort to address the significant barriers which are pre
28/04/2017
NI Water has hit out at vandals following a spate of graffiti incidents at its pumping station at Luke's Point in Bangor. The firm said it is creating a "needless drain on resources" that could be used more efficiently to improve essential services. Over the last 6 months, the walls surrounding L
28/04/2017
The Alliance Party has claimed the DUP and Sinn Fein are not supporting the construction industry after Heathrow Airport up to £15 billion of contracts outside London. Infrastructure spokesperson Kellie Armstrong said if they were not so determined to put party priorities before the public's an Exe
28/04/2017
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has been accused of being "completely on the back foot" when it comes to solar and the diversification of Ireland's renewable energy sources. Sinn Féin TD and Climate Change spokesperson Brian Stanley was speaking after Minister Denis
27/04/2017
Ward & Burke Construction Limited and Response Engineering Limited are to begin work to upgrade and expand the Enniscorthy wastewater treatment plant in Co Wexford. The Irish Water scheme, in partnership with Wexford County Council, is expected to be delivered over two years. It will involve the
27/04/2017
Fianna Fáil is calling for work on the new National Children's Hospital in Dublin to continue without delay. Health Spokesperson, Billy Kelleher also said that no further delays or increases in the overall cost of the project will be tolerated. Deputy Kelleher was commenting after the Minister for
27/04/2017
Housing Minister Simon Coveney has been accused of not knowing how many new homes are being built every year in Ireland. Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD accused the Minister for of continuing to regurgitate misleading figures. Responding to the Minister's letter that was published i
27/04/2017
Housing Minister Simon Coveney has been slammed after eight families have been served with eviction notices at Grove Island, Limerick. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing Barry Cowen TD said the Minister should have acted to prevent mass evictions from occurring. Deputy Cowen blamed Minister Coven
27/04/2017
Work on a new jogging trail in Leafair in Shantallow, Co L'Derry, has been completed. The trail, which will be floodlit at night and circles the existing grass football pitch at the site, aims to give the public a safe place to walk and jog at any time of day. The project was jointly funded by Co
27/04/2017
A joint venture between construction firms Graham and Bam have scooped a prestigious award for their work on the Ulster Hospital Phase B2 – General Ward Block in Dundonald. The Graham-Bam Healthcare Partnership scooped the Most Considerate Site at this year's Considerate Constructors Scheme's 2017
27/04/2017
A preliminary hearing of the public inquiry into the Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) scandal is to take place at Stormont. Chairman of the inquiry, retired judge Sir Patrick Coghlin, is expected to outline how the evidence is coming together. He may also announce how long the inquiry will take to
27/04/2017
A home heating control specialist in Dundalk has been chosen as one of only 12 international companies to participate in the world's first accelerator programme that connects energy start-ups with global utilities. Climote will now have the opportunity to work with leading global energy utilities,
26/04/2017
The final section of the Connswater Community Greenway has officially opened in east Belfast. The section is located through Connswater Shopping Centre and Retail Park to Flora Street Walkway. The final link was once the location of one of Belfast's greatest industrial giants and largest ropemaker
26/04/2017
The Green Party is calling for a deposit refund scheme for recyclables to be introduced to ensure as much recyclable waste as possible is diverted from incinerators. Spokesperson Cllr Malcolm Noonan made the call after the Poolbeg Incinerator in Dublin opened. He said he is concerned the opening o
26/04/2017
Energy firm ESB International has opened new offices at One Dublin Airport Central. The firm will recruit 150 high skilled professionals over the next three years, building on 130 new hires in the past years. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Charlie Flanagan TD was taken on a tour of the bui
26/04/2017
Europa Oil & Gas has received consent for the transfer of 70% interest in its Licensing Option 16/19 to Capricorn Ireland Limited, a subsidiary of Cairn Energy PLC. Cairn will be the operator of the licence area, which covers approximately 976 square kilometres on the Western flank of the South Por
26/04/2017
The Alliance Party is calling for all public buildings in Northern Ireland to have appropriate toilet facilities. Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong said many standard accessible toilets are "not fit for purpose" and is calling for more to be done to change the situation. Ms Armstrong is a long-term
26/04/2017
Fianna Fáil is calling for the data on the completion of new housing units to be independently verified. Finance Spokesperson Michael McGrath said: "At a time of an unprecedented housing crisis, we are faced with a situation where we have wildly different estimates of how many new housing units are
26/04/2017
Irish Water has confirmed it is working in partnership with Mayo County Council to replace a defective water main in Ballina. Customers are facing an ongoing problem of regular bursts. Since the beginning of February 2017, 167 metres of defective water main have been replaced and it is intended th
26/04/2017
Housing Minister Simon Coveney has been slammed for failing to address the homeless crisis in Ireland after figures revealed a 20% increase since he took on the role a year ago. Sinn Féin Housing spokesperson, Eoin Ó Broin TD, accused the Minister of "failing homeless families". The Department of
25/04/2017
NTR has awarded a contract to Natural Power to operate a wind farm in Co Fermanagh. With immediate effect, the firm will provide a full range of operational services to NTR including site management, as well as high voltage management, commercial back-office function, health and safety management a
25/04/2017
The Government is being urged to invest in the North Quay development in Waterford. Fianna Fail TD Mary Butler was commenting as it became apparent that the project by the Alhokair group from Saudi Arabia will not get over the line unless investment from the State is made available. She said: "The
25/04/2017
Work is to start on a £180,000 road resurfacing scheme in Belfast. The work, on Finaghy Road North, is to begin on Sunday 07 May. Resurfacing the stretch of carriageway from Appleton Park to Andersonstown Road will be carried out on three consecutive Sundays between 7am and 8pm. The scheme is exp
25/04/2017
A farmer from Armagh has been fined for two offences under the Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006, of connecting to a public water main without consent and tampering with a water meter. Mr William Morton pleaded guilty and was fined £800 on each offence with an offender's levy fee of £15 a
25/04/2017
Heron Bros has won the Most Considerate Site at this year's Considerate Constructors Scheme's 2017 National Site Awards. The accolade was for the Foyle College and Ebrington Primary School & Nursery, L'Derry. The ongoing contract involves the construction of a new college, primary school and nurser
25/04/2017
Contractors Lowry Building & Civil Engineering has started work to develop a new Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Logistics Support Centre in Belfast. The £7.8 million project on Boucher Crescent is expected to be complete by spring 2018. HLM, a leading architecture and design compan
25/04/2017
The Government has been called upon to invest in a new transport infrastructure. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport Robert Troy TD said commuters in Dublin will continue to face significant disruption in the months and years ahead and described the situation as "unsustainable". Deputy Troy said
25/04/2017
Public access to the Portavo Reservoir in Bangor is under threat after a High Court judgement instructed NI Water to sell the property to an adjoining landowner. Alliance Councillor Gavin Walker has launched a campaign to save access and is urging people to register their support to protect the res
24/04/2017
Construction work has started to extend the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply to Ballinlough in Roscommon and Williamstown in Galway. Irish Water is working in partnership with, Mayo, Roscommon and Galway County Councils and is investing €10 million in the project. Both the Ballinlough and Williams
24/04/2017
A Harland and Wolff multi-million pound deal to provide parts for a wind farm has been welcomed by alliance MLA Chris Lyttle. The new contract will also create 80 jobs. The East Belfast manufacturer will produce suction buckets for the Borkum Riffgrund wind farm off the coast of Germany and provid
24/04/2017
Labour claims the 'Rebuilding Ireland Plan' is not delivering homes that are urgently needed. Housing spokesperson, Jan O'Sullivan TD, made the statement following a debate on housing motions proposed by Labour Party members across the country. She said: "With 200,000 empty homes around the countr
24/04/2017
Secondary schools from across Ireland are being urged to participate in a free one-day workshop in urban planning by industry experts as part of the Urban Land Institute's UrbanPlan 2017 programme. The programme, in its second year, targets 16 and 17 year olds from ten schools selected to take par
24/04/2017
Significant progress is being made on development works at a former miiltary site in Ebrington, L'Derry. Accompanied by Derry City and Strabane District Council's Director of Environment and Regeneration, Karen Philips, the Head of Planning, Maura Fox, principal Planning Officers Andree McNee and S
24/04/2017
Work on a £350,000 road resurfacing project in Portadown is to start on Saturday, 29 April. The scheme on the A3 Dobbin Road will involve the resurfacing of a three quarter mile stretch of road and hard-shoulders along with ancillary works. To facilitate the scheme, temporary overnight road closur
24/04/2017
Fianna Fail is calling for all details of the various reports, reviews and deals on the construction of the new maternity hospital in Dublin to be published. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health Billy Kelleher TD is urging Minister Simon Harris to publish the deal reached between the National Materni
24/04/2017
The number of new homes built in 2016 is lower than the Department of Housing claims, according to new figures via Freedom of Information. Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has called on Minister Simon Coveney to "come clean on new build housing figures". Deputy Ó Broin said: "Min
21/04/2017
Another significant rockfall has occurred at the Skellig Michael site in Co Kerry, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has revealed. In a statement, the organisation said that a "large amount of material" had been deposited from upper slopes onto the roadway in an area which is "vital to the OPW oper
21/04/2017
Sinn Féin has again called for the Help-to-Buy scheme to be suspended after new figures revealed property prices are rising at an "unsustainable" rate. The party's spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, urged the scheme to be immediately suspended as its existence is "driving the price of housin
21/04/2017
Plans to upgrade Ballyboden Water Treatment Plant in Dublin have been unveiled by Irish Water. The €10.5 million investment would see the existing open water reservoir upgraded to provide safe and secure drinking water for communities in Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin County.
21/04/2017
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is to receive a grant of almost £5 million from the National Lottery, it has been announced. The £4.8m fund is from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and will go towards transforming the visitor experience at the site. Some 200,000 people are expected to visit the his
21/04/2017
NI Water has issued an appeal for the public to obey all road safety signage following an incident in the Toome Road area of Ballymena. The company, which is currently carrying out essential sewerage improvement work in the area, said it is necessary to close the road to protect the safety of the p
21/04/2017
A project to upgrade the Annabella Roundabout in Mallow, Co Cork, has commenced. The works started this week and are expected to continue until 30 June, 2017. The project will see the roundabout reconfigured to enable two lanes of traffic to circulate around the central island, thereby increasin
21/04/2017
The Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney, has been urged to intervene to stop the eviction of the residents of Fisherman's Quay, Grove Island. Making the call, Labour housing spokesperson Jan O'Sullivan TD believes that legislation passed just before Christmas in the Dáil may protect the residents d
21/04/2017
IT security company Citrix has announced plans to expand its existing office facilities in Dublin. The company is planning to add 26,000 sq ft of office space to its site at East Point Business Park, which will create 150 new jobs. In addition, upgrades will be carried out to provide a modern work
20/04/2017
Eighty jobs are to be supported in Belfast following an announcement that Harland and Wolff are to export to a German windfarm project. The 56-turbine windfarm will use two types of steel foundations – suction bucket jackets and monopiles. It is understood ST3 Offshore will fabricate 20 suction
20/04/2017
Industry consultancy Atkins has been selected to help deliver a new 600-pupil school in Co Kerry. The new Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí school will be built in Tralee and is targeted for completion in time for the 2019/2020 academic year. Features will include: • Over 20 general purpose classrooms • Sp
20/04/2017
A new report has revealed that residential property prices in Ireland, in the year to February 2017, increased by 10.7%. The figures have been released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The price rise compares to an increase of 8.1% in the year to January, and an increase of 5.4% in the 12 m
20/04/2017
BSG Civil Engineering is continuing work on a £3 million upgrade programme at Camlough Reservoir in Northern Ireland. The project, which is being delivered in partnership with NI Water and Newry, Mourne & Down District Council, will see essential improvements carried out at Camlough lake. Features
20/04/2017
Industry manufacturer Kilwaughter Minerals has expanded its research and development (R&D) team with three new appointments. Over the past three months, Gary Doey, Gerry Mc Erlane and Robert Mc Curdy have taken up new roles at the company's headquarters. With extensive experience in the plastering
20/04/2017
Work is continuing on the redevelopment of the former Ebrington military site in L'Derry. The 10.5-hectare area is being transformed into an area comprising of a museum, hotel, office space, cafés and restaurants, as well as residential accommodation. Members of Derry City and Strabane District Co
20/04/2017
A number of changes have been proposed for the Ballyfermot Road in Dublin. The changes, suggested by Dublin City Council, would see the existing layout altered, while a tree-lined avenue would run along the 1km route from Kylemore Road roundabout to the Ballyfermot Community Civic Centre. The pr
20/04/2017
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has issued a call for facilitators to run 'Group' projects for farmers participating in the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS). Group projects aim to promote co-ordinated activity among EFS agreement holders to enhance environmen
19/04/2017
Plans for an office block to be developed at the gasworks in Belfast have been deferred. Alliance Councillor Emmet McDonough Brown said that while the gasworks has the potential for further development, this must only be undertaken through open and honest consultation channels with local residents,
19/04/2017
A leisure centre in Strabane, Co Tyrone, is to undergo £60,000 refurbishment work. The additional £60,000 investment is planned to replace lockers and upgrade changing rooms at Riversdale Leisure Centre. The money is part of a wider investment plan of £145,000 planned for the Strabane area. Previ
19/04/2017
The Government has been slammed after a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed Ireland will fail to meet its 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The Green Party called on the Government to "get real" as Ireland is completely off target for its low carbon transition by
19/04/2017
Sinn Féin is urging the Housing Minister to "urgently" look into the data used to measure housing completion rates. Spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD said a number of commentators, including architect Mel Reynolds and Housing lecturer Lorcan Sirr have raised serious concerns about the level o
19/04/2017
The Alliance Party is calling for "immediate action" to be taken after gallons of diesel leaked from a boat into the Strangford Lough in Co Down. A boat, which had been at the quay in Portaferry for over a year, initially sank in January, causing concerns over the leaking of diesel into the lough.
19/04/2017
Clearpower in Tallaght has won the Product of the Show Award at the The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Energy Show. The firm won the award for its Forest to Heat Biomass System. Designed, supplied, managed and controlled by Clearpower to guarantee optimum performance of both the bi
19/04/2017
Dixons Contractors in Ballymena has been awarded a deal with Choice Housing to complete a £1.1 million overhaul of 15 homes in Portrush, Co Antrim. The largest element of the works over the next 14 months involves the replacement of kitchens, heating systems and electrics alongside building upgrade
19/04/2017
The Labour Party has described the decision that the Sisters of Charity have been given sole-ownership of the new National Maternity Hospital in Dublin as "ludicrous". Spokesperson on Health Alan Kelly said: "Given the events of recent weeks, not to mention the failure of religious congregations to
19/04/2017
Free Childcare to homeless children aged under 5 has been extended to nine other regions outside Dublin. Councils in Clare, Cork City, Cavan, Donegal, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Offaly, Wicklow have signed up to get involved in the €8.25 million scheme. Under the scheme each child is entitled to
19/04/2017
Work on a resurfacing project on the main road from Newry to Belfast is to start on Monday, 24 April. The scheme will provide almost 1km of new asphalt road surface, footways and associated drainage improvement works. The resurfacing works extend from the junction with New Street, to just beyond t
13/04/2017
Fine Gael is calling for guidelines to be introduced to assist Local Authorities with planning applications for solar farms. Cork based Senator, Tim Lombard, said he believes legislation is "urgently needed in this area". He said: "Currently there are no guidelines in place to advice Local Authori
13/04/2017
Rapid International Ltd in County Armagh has supplied Northern Ireland based Lagan Tile with a new RP1000 Rapid Planetary Concrete Mixer. The mixer was specified due to its high capacity and increased levels of energy efficiency. The new mixer has been installed in Lagan Tile's roof tile producti
13/04/2017
Funding of €20 million has been allocated to regenerate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Up to 300 towns and villages will benefit from funding under the 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme, which will be made available through Local Authorities over the next 15 months to support rural
13/04/2017
Energy firm SSE Airtricity has partnered with Dublin Zoo to help families learn more about the importance of sustainability in a fun and interactive way. They have created an Eco Explorer Trail, supported by SSE Airtricity's interactive Eco Explorer app. The digital app, which can be used on any ta
13/04/2017
Sinn Féin has said Fianna Fail "cannot be trusted" following a deal with Fine Gael over the future of water services. Deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald TD said it is a classic example of "Fine Gael connivance and Fianna Fáil cute hoorism". She said: "The connivance is provided by your party in your
13/04/2017
Sinn Féin has announced it will seek to amend the Planning Bill in order for it to have "real powers" to be effective. Spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD said he was disappointed that the Planning Bill passed committee stage. Deputy Ó Broin said: "We welcome that the Government is finally ma
13/04/2017
Irish energy firm Electroroute has established its first office in the UK. The firm also announced the appointment of energy sector figure Tim Foster as Head of UK Services. It is the firm's first corporate base outside of its Dublin headquarters and follows its announcement in October 2016 that
13/04/2017
Concerns have been raised over the DUP's Community Halls scheme. Sinn Féin MLA Declan Kearney said further revelations pose major questions about the role of institutionalised bigotry within the political process. The South Antrim MLA said: "It has been suggested that this scheme was in place to h
13/04/2017
Sinn Féin has said the report by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) is "doomed to failure". Spokesperson on Climate Change Brian Stanley TD also said the National Mitigation Plan must be prioritised to limit the damage and penalties facing the state. He said: "Ireland is extremely unlikely to
13/04/2017
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is urging homeowners to apply for grants, which cover about 30% of the average cost of upgrade works, to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. Almost 350,000 homes have benefited from grants through the SEAI to make energy improvemen
12/04/2017
Planning permission has been approved for the redevelopment of two leisure centres in Belfast. Belfast City Council (BCC) gave the green light for the Robinson Centre in Castlereagh and the Brook Activity Centre in Twinbrook to be restored. The £20 million transformation of the Robinson Centre wil
12/04/2017
Fianna Fáil has hit out at the Minister of State for Regional Economic Development over his decision not to provide funding for essential maintenance work to be carried out on rural roads. TD for Cavan-Monaghan Niamh Smyth called for Minister Michael Ring to reverse his decision. Deputy Smyth said
12/04/2017
The go-ahead has been given to revised plans for Belfast's biggest and tallest hotel. Planning permission had previously been granted for the conversion of the former Windsor House into the Grand Central Hotel, with 200 bedrooms plus serviced apartments and offices. The revised plans will see the
12/04/2017
Only 2% of dwellings in Northern Ireland are unfit for occupation, according to new statistics. This is compared to 20% in 1974, data by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) revealed. Unfitness in Northern Ireland's housing stock is now at its lowest level since surveys began over 40 year
12/04/2017
Fianna Fail has raised serious concerns over the allocation of funding to build the M20 motorway. Cork North West TD Michael Moynihan made the comment after reports suggested that the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform, Paschal Donohoe, said that he would be fast tracking funding to other pro
12/04/2017
The SDLP has raised concerns that Belfast City Council planning notices will no longer appear in local newspapers. Cllr Tim Attwood confirmed the notices will not appear in the Irish News, Belfast Telegraph and Andersonstown News. He said it is "vital" local residents and communities have ready ac
12/04/2017
Graepels, specialists in bespoke metal products, has completed work on an iconic Picture-Perf portrait of boxing champion Michael Conlan. The portrait is now on display on the window of his amateur club, Clonard A.B.C, in west Belfast. The firm teamed up with McGurk Architects and JPM Contracts on
12/04/2017
Energy firm E.ON is to invest €3 million to build a new test site off the coast of Co Mayo for airborne wind energy devices. Ampyx Power and E.ON have entered into a cooperation aiming at furthering Ampyx Power's Airborne Wind Energy technology into commercial deployment. The test site will be us
12/04/2017
CQMS'17, Ireland's Construction and Quarry Machinery Show, is taking place in Molloy's Quarry, Tinnycross, Tullamore, Co Offaly on 21 and 22 April. The bi-annual show, supported by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), AIB and Total Lubricants, is a hub of innovation and new technology coveri
12/04/2017
The Green Party voted against the report of the Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services. The party said the use of the Water Services Act 2007 to prevent wastage is a "blunt and impractical approach". Senator Grace O'Sullivan voted against the report of the committee due to Fian
11/04/2017
Construction work has started on a €300million housing development has officially opened in Carrigaline, Cork. Astra Construction Services were selected to build 800 homes on the 100-acre site, situated on the Cork Road before Carrigaline town. Janeville will include detached and semi-detached h
11/04/2017
A clear majority of people want water charges to be abolished, according to Sinn Féin. Spokesperson on Water Eoin Ó Broin TD made the statement following the successful turnout at the Right2Water rally over the weekend. He also said the voters will "punish Fianna Fáil for any back door agreement w
11/04/2017
Labour has raised serious concerns over developers hoarding land to profit from expected house price increases in the future. The party made the announcement after the Irish Independent reported that concern about the practice was raised at the recent Irish Planning Institute annual conference. La
11/04/2017
Shanbally Wastewater Treatment Plant in Cork has officially commenced operations. Irish Water has teamed up with Cork County Council on the €117 million Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project. 50% of the raw sewage previously discharging into the lower harbour from Carrigaline, Crosshaven and Sh
11/04/2017
Fianna Fail has called for a scheme, which will allow flood affected families in Roscommon and Galway to relocate, to proceed. Spokeperson on Flood Relief Eugene Murphy said the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten and the Minister of State for the Office of Pu
11/04/2017
Significant progress is being made on the refurbishment at Cultra Station House in Holywood, Co Down. Dating back to 1897, the building was listed in 2007 when it was threatened with demolition but remained in a state of disrepair. A Condition Survey commissioned in 2012 stated "it would likely pr
10/04/2017
Sinn Féin has said water charges "must end". Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald was speaking at an anti-water charges rally in Dublin. She said: "Water charges were agreed by Fianna Fáil and imposed by Fine Gael. They thought citizens would roll over. They were wrong. "The Right2Water campaign won t
10/04/2017
NI firm McCue Crafted Fit took part in the completion of the new Inpatient Ward Block at the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald. The company provided interiors for the new Phase B Inpatient Ward Block, in particular, for the 288 single en-suite bedrooms. McCue used cutting edge materials and technology f
10/04/2017
Sligo County Council has retained its ban on fracking. Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan welcomed the council's decision after councillors refused to bow to a recommendation from Chief Executive Ciaran Hayes that the prohibition on fracking should be excised from a new county development plan. Ms Boylan s
10/04/2017
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ulster Farmers Union and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has been welcomed by Sinn Féin. MLA Caoimhe Archibald said it puts a focus on advocacy and communication and will help support farmers in ensuring compliance to e
10/04/2017
A sit-in by workers in Tara Mines in County Meath is continuing. The staff in the mine highlighted their concerns over health and safety following a unilateral move by the company to change the operation of the underground ambulance cover at the facility. Siptu the union Organiser, John Regan, sai
10/04/2017
Greenhouse gas emissions increased by 5.4% in 2016. Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan said the results from Irish participants in the Emissions Trading System (ETS) are "extremely worrying". She called on the Irish Government and the European Union (EU) to do a lot more to ensure that greenhouse gas emiss
10/04/2017
Irish Water, in partnership with Galway County Council, has invested around €1 million to improve the water supply in Carraroe. To demonstrate the works that were carried out in the area, Irish Water hosted a community open day at the Carraroe Water Treatment Plant on Friday, 07 April. Works at t
10/04/2017
Upgrade works to the Moate Water Supply in Co Westmeath have been completed. Irish Water invested €60,000 in the project which has increased the water pressure and improved the security of the water supply for residents and businesses in Moate. The scheme involved construction of a booster pump s
07/04/2017
Large energy users in Ireland are being offered help to reduce their energy costs through a €10 million fund. Launched by Smart Energy Services, a business unit in ESB, the fund provides advice, capital funding, and implementation of energy projects for customers who are large users of energy. In
07/04/2017
Planning has been approved to build 500 new homes in L'Derry. Derry City and Strabane District Council's Planning Committee gave the green light for three major new developments. Almost 500 new homes were given the go ahead at locations in Culmore, the Waterside and Bradley's Way in Strabane. The
07/04/2017
Graham Interior Fit-out (GIFO) has signed a contract with clothing and accessories retailer Fat Face to carry out work at its stores in Dublin and Kerry. GIFO has been appointed to fit out premises in Dundrum and Kenmare and the work is expected to be completed in May. Mark Gibson, Director of GIF
07/04/2017
Northern Regional College has signed a recruitment deal with NIE Networks. The electricity firm has partnered with the college to help with its selection and recruitment process through a computer based test programme. Applicants will sit a series of aptitude tests at the College's Ballymena Campu
07/04/2017
Construction work has started on a new Environmental Improvement Scheme in Rathfern, Newtownabbey. The work includes the development of an allotment facility in the Knockenagh Avenue area. The facility will include 28 allotments, car parking, path works, landscaping, community garden, events space
07/04/2017
Sinn Fein has hit out at Housing Minister Simon Coveney and accused him of "rowing back" on housing homeless families. Spokesperson for Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has called on the Minister to provide a timeline as how his Department in tandem with the four Dublin local authorities plans to move the 8
07/04/2017
Redevelop plans at premises in L'Derry have been given the green light. Derry City and Strabane District Council's Planning Committee approved the redevelopment of premises at 50-54 Waterloo Street to provide 19 apartments and the refurbishment of existing ground floor retail units. Ashfield Prope
07/04/2017
Housing Minister Simon Coveney has been accused of making "threats" in an attempt the influence the Oireachtas water committee. The party's spokesperson on Water, Eoin Ó Broin, said Minister Coveney's letter "effectively threatening a general election if he doesn't get his way was both wholly inapp
06/04/2017
The Government is being urged to allocate funding to refurbish Tubbercurry Garda Station in Co Sligo. Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Eamon Scanlon, said the building no longer meets the needs of a functioning Garda Station. Deputy Scanlon said: "When it was built back in 1960 there was only one
06/04/2017
The Minister for Communications and Climate Change is being urged to clarify his position "immediately" on undergrounding the North South Interconnector project. Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy said Minister Denis Naughten needs to acknowledge the project will never go ahead unless it is undergrounded.
06/04/2017
Planning has been approved to redevelop the former Clondermott High School in Co L'Derry. The proposals include the development of a full size multi-use pitch for soccer, rugby and gaelic games, a full size synthetic 3G soccer pitch, four synthetic tennis courts, four synthetic cricket wickets and
06/04/2017
Plans have been approved to build two new schools in L'Derry. Approval was given for the construction of the new Our Lady of Fatima single-storey six class based Primary School, associated accommodation and external play areas in Tamnaherin. The proposal is to combine and replace the current exi
06/04/2017
A new €5 million scheme has launched to provide financial support to people who want to upgrade their homes to an 'A' rating on the Building Energy Rating (BER) scale. The scheme will fund major energy efficiency upgrades to homes and low carbon heating systems. It will be administered by the Susta
06/04/2017
Radius Housing has announced plans to invest over £300 million in the construction industry. The investment will be made over the next five years by developing new homes and refurbishing properties. The housing association has ambitious plans to deliver more high quality housing, increase social i
06/04/2017
Ireland will have to invest in alternatives to fossil fuels and take serious action on carbon emissions, according to Labour. The party also said Ireland should be using the planning system to try and reduce its carbon emissions. Labour Councillor and Chair of Dublin City Council Planning Committe
06/04/2017
The Oireachtas Water Committee report has been described as "a great victory for Right2Water movement" by Sinn Fein. TD and spokesperson for Water Eoin Ó Broin said as the report stands, water charges are gone. He said: "The report also includes a clear commitment to hold referendum enshrining the
05/04/2017
Irish Water is to invest €600,000 to replace aging watermains in Cappawhite, Co Tipperary. The project will involve the installation of approximately 2.7km of new watermains and service connections, improving the performance of the network by reducing leakage, improving system pressure and securing
05/04/2017
Four construction firms in Northern Ireland have been awarded a new £100 million deal by NI Water. Maghera-based company, BSG Civil Engineering, Dunmurry-based Farrans Construction and Belfast-based companies Lagan Construction Group and Meridian Utilities scooped the contract to improve the waterm
05/04/2017
Sinn Fein is calling for urgent repairs to be carried out at two fire stations in Donegal. TD Martin Kenny called on Minister for Local Government, Simon Coveney, to carry out the renovations at Ballyshannon and Bundoran fire stations "as soon as possible". He said: "They are both staffed by retai
05/04/2017
A £350,000 extension to the Park and Ride/Park and Share carpark adjacent to the Castledawson Roundabout, Co L'Derry, is to open on Monday, 10 April. The extension includes an additional 192 car parking spaces, as well as ten disabled spaces, which will be made available for commuters and will brin
05/04/2017
Sinn Féin is calling for the Help to Buy scheme to be suspended to allow for a full review. Spokesperson Pearse Doherty also accused Finance Minister Michael Noonan of "ignoring evidence" that the scheme is adding to the rise in house prices. Mr Doherty said: "When it was put to the Governor of th
05/04/2017
The 2017 SuperValu TidyTowns competition has officially launched. Entries are now being accepted for the competition which is in its 59th year. The competition is administered by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and is sponsored by SuperValu. Minister for R
05/04/2017
Concerns have been raised over plans to close the Cairns Hill water treatment and distribution works in Sligo. Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Marc MacSharry, said the closure will put major pressure on the water system in and around the greater Sligo area, and could jeopardise inward investment
05/04/2017
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has published its 'Ireland's Solar Value Chain Opportunity' at its Energy Show in Dublin. The cost of solar panels has plummeted, dropping by 80% since 2009. In the same period, solar PV has become the fastest growing power generation technology wo
04/04/2017
An Bord Pleanála has approved plans to progress with work to improve the sewer network at Cork Lower Harbour. The Cork Lower Harbour Main Drainage Project will result in significant improvements to water quality in Cork Lower Harbour by ending the current practice of the discharge of raw sewage dir
04/04/2017
Sinn Féin said the latest revelation that the Department of Economy has made another mistake over the botched Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme comes as "no surprise". MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir is calling for the full truth to come out. He said: "This is yet another example of the incompetence
04/04/2017
The regeneration of Brooke Park in Co L'Derry has been shortlisted for two awards by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The park has been shortlisted in the categories of Community Benefit and Regeneration and faces competition from a number of significant developments from across
04/04/2017
A €2.8million package has been allocated to help 13 Coastal Local Authorities complete a total of 51 development and repair projects on harbours and slipways in Ireland. The package provides funding for maintenance and repair works in addition to supporting the ongoing development and enhancement
04/04/2017
Sinn Féin Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD has said he hopes the Central Bank engaging with An Garda Síochána over the tracker mortgage scandal is "not just a box ticking exercise in the face of so much public anger". However, Mr Doherty also welcomed the announcement that they are in discuss
04/04/2017
Labour has claimed the Fine Gael Government's housing policies are directly causing the rapid increase in prices. Spokesperson on Housing Jan O'Sullivan also said the Help to Buy scheme has accelerated the increase in house prices. She said: "The Help to Buy scheme has added fuel to the surge in p
04/04/2017
A total of five entries are to receive a €10,000 award in the Rebuilding Ireland Homes for Smart Ageing Universal Design Challenge. The five commended entrants will now enter the final round and are in with a chance of receiving a further €50,000. The commended ideas announced are: • Cairdeas, a
04/04/2017
The Construction Employers Federation (CEF) has welcomed news that a judicial challenge to the A6 Randalstown - Castledawson road scheme, focusing on the Toome – Randalstown section, has been overturned by the High Court. CEF Managing Director John Armstrong said: "The long overdue dualling of the
03/04/2017
The Green Party has said it is "unacceptable" for anyone to leave vacant lands empty in our towns and cities in 2017. The call comes as Dublin City Council published 25 entries on its Vacant Site Register which was initially published with an empty list in early January. Green Party Councillor Cia
03/04/2017
A new water treatment plant has opened in Fethard, Tipperary. Irish Water and Tipperary County Council said the Fethard Water Supply Scheme will result in over 7,000 local customers benefiting from a more secure and reliable water supply. The plant was developed as part of a €15.2 million investme
03/04/2017
Sinn Féin is calling for the Help to Buy Scheme to be suspended. The party made the call after a report by Daft.ie revealed huge jumps in house prices in the first three months of the year. Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty TD said the scheme must be suspended to allow a full review before too m
03/04/2017
The Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 have came into operation. It follows the decision announced by the European Commission that the amendments to the RHI Scheme are in line with EU state aid rules. The Regulations mean that the 'tiered' tariff syste
03/04/2017
A free weed piping scheme has launched in Armagh. NI Water, in conjunction with the Water Catchment Partnership, said the scheme is aimed at land managers tackling rush weeds in the catchment area of Seagahan Reservoir near Markethill. The initiative will take place between May and September 2017
03/04/2017
A €291,000 package has been allocated to complete five development and repair projects on harbours and slipways owned by Donegal County Council. Donegal TD Joe McHugh said the package provides funding for maintenance and repair works in addition to supporting the ongoing development and enhancement
03/04/2017
Ward and Burke Construction have started work on a €6.8 million Sligo City water main rehabilitation and Pearse Road sewer network project. Irish Water appointed the firm to carry out the work, which has commenced on Cleveragh Road with an estimated completion date of 07 April for this section of t
03/04/2017
Fine Gael has been accused of failing to address the housing market. Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Barry Cowen, said the market is dangerously close to pricing out average income earners in the country after a Daft.ie report revealed house prices are continuing
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