Government urged to clamp down on rogue construction operators

The government is being urged to clamp down on people who are working in construction while drawing the dole.

According to the Construction Industry Federation, tax compliant contractors are losing tenders because they are being undercut by rogue operators.

The CIF said that the black market economy is damaging the Exchequer and something must be done to tackle the situation.

The Federation's Director General Tom Parlon said that consumers should not engage black market contractors.

"In terms of cracking down on it that is possible with more policing," he said.

"I think the onus has to be put on the client as well they have a responsibility when they are spending money to spend it on tax compliant contractors."