Key Watchdogs Highlighting Cost Overruns in Irish Government Projects The primary watchdog in Ireland for auditing public accounts and highlighting cost overruns is the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), whose reports are often reviewed by the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) also critiques broader fiscal spending overruns. Based on […]
Revolutionizing Construction Procurement: An Update on QUANTUM ALL ISLAND’s Tiered Access Levels In the fast-evolving world of construction, where efficiency, transparency, and cost control are paramount, innovative platforms like QUANTUM ALL ISLAND are making waves across Ireland. Developed over 12 years by Quintin QS, a leading quantity surveying firm in Northern Ireland, this digital tool […]
Key Legal Developments as of September 2025 The Irish construction industry is experiencing significant regulatory changes in 2025, driven by efforts to enhance standards, sustainability, worker protections, and infrastructure delivery. Below is a summary of the most recent and impactful legal news, based on developments up to September 2025. 1. Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for […]
Starting a monthly update, here is a list of the top 10 issues currently important to building contractors and clients in Northern Ireland, based on recent industry reports and forecasts. These reflect challenges in September 2025 and anticipated trends leading into December 2025, such as ongoing economic pressures, infrastructure limitations, and policy developments. I’ve prioritized […]
UK Construction PMI: A Glimmer of Hope Amid Calls for Bold ReformThe UK construction sector has been navigating choppy waters, but the latest figures offer a ray of optimism. Released today, the S&P Global UK Construction PMI for August 2025 climbed to 45.5, surpassing expectations of 45.0 and marking an improvement from July’s 44.3. While […]
How my father’s lighthouse keeper legacy gave me the perfect blueprint for building an iconic brand identity When Phil Knight paid a graphic design student $35 for what would become the world’s most recognizable logo, he had no idea he was creating a symbol worth $26 billion today. The Nike swoosh didn’t become iconic overnight—it […]
Summary of Construction Output (Year-to-Date 2025, £ Millions) Ireland (Republic of Ireland) Northern Ireland Comparison Notes
The net effect of Donald Trump’s tariffs applied to date (as of August 1, 2025) on UK construction products and services is multifaceted, with both direct and indirect impacts. Below is a summary based on available information: 1. Direct Impact on UK Construction Products: – 10% Tariff on UK Goods: The US has imposed a […]
As Strangford Lough Crossing (SLC) at early stages, we can review the processes and progress of Narrow Water Bridge, through the prism of Narrow Water Bridge Community Network, led by Chairman Jim Boylan, who, amongst others, campaigned for year to see this scheme develop. Thus far, the information shared and stories told, are interesting to […]
To assess whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcements on July 21, 2025, regarding the UK water and sewerage industry reform align with the proposed 10-point plan based on world best practices, I’ll evaluate each point against the details from the provided sources, particularly the landmark review by Sir Jon Cunliffe and related government statements. The […]