Building industry chides McCreevy

FINANCE Minister Charlie McCreevy was given a taste of his own medicine by the Construction Industry Federation yesterday.

At a major conference on value for money in construction one of the Construction Industry Federation’s chief speakers, Alan Crane, accused Mr McCreevy of “banging on” about the industry while failing to examine the State’s role in how it might ensure that all concerned were better served by the sector. “They are clients as well as policy-makers” and could have a major role to play in tackling the cost question if they did more real work with the industry instead of lecturing the sector from the podium.”

Mr Crane is chairman of the Rethinking Construction organisation, a voluntary body set up by the industry to improve its relationship with the broader community in Britain including its relationship with the State.