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Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Running out of sand and stone: Construction industry warns of critical shortage of aggregates
Ireland will need more than a billion tonnes of crushed rock, sand and gravel by 2040 to complete housing and infrastructure projects but planning delays and refusals could result in critical shortages the State's concrete industry has warned. A report published this week states that just 61% of the annual consumption of aggregates is currently being replenished by means of new planning authorisations. The Irish Concrete Federation (ICF) warned that at current levels of authorisation, the replenishment levels will to 52% over the 2025 – 2040 period as demand for aggregates increases due to Ireland's growing population. The report has found that quarry planning decisions in 2024 took over four times longer than the statutory timeframe for such decisions. There is a statutory objective for planning applications to local authorities that are appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála to be decided on within 30 weeks. The report found that quarry development applications from 2017 up to 2024 are delayed in the planning system for 91 weeks on average. In 2024 alone, decision-making timeframes had increased to 129 weeks. "Ireland has natural reserves of high-quality aggregates, which are essential raw materials for Ireland's future infrastructure requirements,' said ICF Chief Executive Officer, Gerry Farrell. 'Yet current planning decision timelines and a lack of a coordinated policy on the long-term sustainable supply of aggregates will threaten Ireland's ability to meet future demand for housing and infrastructure projects." The ICF estimates that more than 20 million tonnes of aggregate alone will be required for the flagship infrastructure projects under the Ireland 2040 plan, including 1.1m tonnes for the Cork City Docklands rejuvenation, 1.5m for the Cork to Limerick Motorway, and a further 1.5m for the Metrolink project in Dublin. The government's commitment to double the current annual delivery of new homes to 60,000 also underlines the need for secure supplies of aggregates in the medium and longer term. The report, authored by RPS Consulting, warned that the shortage could be particularly acute in the greater Dublin area, which would eventually lead to increased haulage of large volumes of aggregates over longer distances from quarries located outside the region, thereby increasing fuel consumption, costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The report calls for a Policy Statement from the Government that would recognise crushed stone as gravel as a strategic resource. It also recommends additional resources should be provided to the planning authorities for training and education specifically related to the extraction of aggregates. "This will ensure that these raw materials, which are a finite resource and whose geographical location is fixed, are extracted in a sustainable and regulated manner compatible with the protection of the environment, heritage and quality of life of residents," Mr Farrell said.
Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Drogheda sets new record while host town Ardee win big at National Band Championships
Ardee Concert Band's Senior Band topped Section 1 Concert, claiming First Prize in their first-ever home victory, They also earned Best Supporting Section for their Double Reed Players – Betty Roddy, Gerry Farrell and Wendel Frietas – and Best Brass Award for their outstanding brass ensemble. Crowning their achievements, Ardee was named Best Band of the Championships under the baton of Musical Director Mr. Ronan O'Reilly. Adjudicator Dr Jonathon Corry, Musical Director of the 1st Old Boys Brass Band, praised the community band for 'a fine performance with great technique,' noting that it was 'well directed.' The celebrations continued for Ardee as their Intermezzo Ensemble achieved Second Place in Section 3 Concert, just behind winners St Mary's Brass and Reed Band of Kingscourt. The Ardee Ensemble featured 40 young musicians, many performing in competition for the first time under the direction of Mr James MacCafferty. 'This is a huge experience for these young musicians and coming away with a win in their first competitive Session is an added Bonus,' said Band PRO Sinéad Behan. "Musicianship in Ardee Concert Band is in a strong position and the future is well and truly secure for many years to come.' Meanwhile, history was also made in the Brass Band competitions as Drogheda Brass Band won a record-breaking 16th National Band Championship title, surpassing the previous record of 15 titles jointly held with Arklow Silver Band. Performing Philip Sparke's 'Evolution' as their test piece, Drogheda Brass Band, under the expert baton of conductor Stephen Murray delivered a stunning performance that earned the a top score of 188 points in Section 1 Brass, narrowly edging out the Navan Silver Band, conducted by Kevin Teers, who scored 186 points. Lourdes Brass Band secured third place with 185 points. This victory not only underscores Drogheda Brass Band's dedication and excellence in the brass band community but also sets a new benchmark in the history of the championships. Adding to their triumph, Drogheda's soprano coronet player, Luke Murphy, was awarded Best Instrumentalist in Section 1 Brass for his outstanding performance. Band Vice-Chair Brian Murphy expressed the band's delight at the achievement, saying: 'The level of competition this was exceptional. Every band brought their best and it was an honour to come out as winners in a great contest." 'I'd also like to congratulate Ardee Concert Band, not only for hosting such a brilliant event, but for winning their own grade in the Concert Band Section 1, beating off stiff competition from Dublin Concert Band,' added Murphy. Throughout the day, sixteen bands from across Ireland, including Dublin, Kildare, Galway, Cavan, Louth, Meath, Wicklow and Offaly, showcased their talents and competed across various Brass and Concert sections. The event, organised by the Irish Association of Brass and Concert Bands (IABCB), marked a memorable day for Irish bands, celebrating musical excellence, new milestones, and the strength of community music in Louth and across Ireland.
