Index shows continued decline for construction sector

Activity in the construction sector continued to decline last month, according to the latest Ulster Bank Construction figures.

The pace of decline was the fastest so far this year in March as conditions deteriorated across the housing, commercial and civil engineering sub-sectors.

One of the key challenges according to Chief Economist at Ulster Bank, Simon Barry, is a lack of new business.

He said firms were reporting very few tender opportunities and that competition was "very tough".