THE Irish Mining and Quarrying Society has backed the construction industry’s call for investment in critical infrastructure by pension funds.

THE leader of the country’s largest trade union has demanded the Taoiseach “call it a day” and name a date for a general election if he cannot “rein in” the Department of Finance from its “slash and burn” policies.

The state’s largest trade union accused the Department of Finance tonight of sabotaging attempts to get the country out of recession by targeting the less well-off.

THE Government has been called on to act immediately to restore confidence in the construction sector to prevent a massive downturn.

THE Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF) has expressed its initial support for the use of pension fund investments in infrastructure projects to aid the construction industry; but said that the final decision ultimately rests with actual fund managers themselves.