Builders call on Govt to maintain public construction programme

Architects, engineers and builders are calling on the Government to ''move Ireland Inc. forward'' by investing in capital projects.

The Construction Industry Council has said a unique window exists to build hospitals, schools, water and energy projects.

The CIC, along with IBEC and ICTU, say the public capital programme must be maintained at a minimum of €5.5bn annually to save 130,000 jobs between now and the end of 2011.