Construction and the economy will develop in partnership

A ‘renewed’ collaboration between the industry and government could be key to Ireland’s recovery

From left: Graham Watts OBE, Chief Executive, Construction Industry Council, UK; Ian Kehoe, Editor, The Sunday Business Post; Tom Parlon, Director General, Construction Industry Federation; Michael Stone, President, Construction Industry Federation Pictures Maura Hickey

The development of the construction industry and the future progress of the Irish economy are intertwined, Thursday’s Construction Industry Federation conference, jointly organised by The Sunday Business Post and iQuest, heard.

If a supportive policy framework is put in place, the industry can generate 75,000 jobs, build 25,000 houses a year and can deliver infrastructure projects worth more than €26 billion, Michael Stone, the CIF president said.

“We’ve come a long way. We’re ...