Pictured above is Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
The Construction Industry Federation Annual Conference 2022 will examine how to increase the industry’s resilience to prosper in a cyclical, ever-evolving market. Taking place in-person at Croke Park on Thursday, October 6, leaders from all sides of the construction sector will gather to negotiate thoughts around a conference theme of ‘Building a Resilient Industry’.
Joining a stellar line-up of speakers and representing the Government at the key annual event will be Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and Michael McGrath, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The construction industry has never been as important to the Irish economy given its central role in delivering State-backed plans to address Ireland’s housing crisis, critical infrastructure projects and climate change targets.
The sector emerged strongly from the Covid pandemic, demonstrating its strength and commitment to delivering Ireland’s built environment. Since then, a combination of macroeconomic and geo-political factors have led to a sharp rise in inflation across building materials and fuel, alongside supply chain disruption and labour shortages.
How can the industry adapt?
While government measures have been put in place to help stem inflation, companies must closely monitor the viability of projects in the current climate. Construction companies are used to operating in a cyclical market, but the combination of crises over the past three years has been unprecedented.
An extra one million people are expected to be living in Ireland by 2040, which will place huge demands on the housing market. It is critical that the sector considers the moves it can make today to harness its potential to meet future needs.
This year’s conference will discuss how to address the challenges facing the construction sector and explore how industry and government can work together to ensure delivery of Ireland’s vital housing and infrastructure plans.
Among the topics being delved into at this year’s event include the necessity to reform the public works contract, ethical supply chains and sustainability, meeting the changing needs of clients as well as how to create an adaptable, flexible and innovative industry through modern methods of construction, overcoming the skills gap and improving diversity in the industry.
Meet some of our speakers:
Anne Graham Chief Executive Officer, National Transport Authority
Niall Gleeson CEO, Irish Water
Joanne Cluxton Group HR Director, Mercury
David Moloney Secretary General, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Mark McGreevy Chief Commercial Officer, Sisk Group
John Downey Director, Downey Planning
Professor Jamie Goggins Director, National Construction Technology Centre
Frank Kelly President, CIF
Dr Mary-Liz Trant Director of the National Apprenticeship Office
Paul Sheridan Director of Main Contracting, CIF
Tom Carey Chair, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
Tom Parlon Director General, CIF
Kas Mohammed Vice President of Digital Energy and leading Smart Buildings, Schneider Electric UK and Ireland
David O’Brien Construction Advisor, the Office of Government Procurement
Dr Avril Behan Project Director, Build Digital Project at TU Dublin
Pia Feeney Director, Government & Infrastructure, Strategy and Transactions, EY Ireland
Ross O’Colmain Manager, High Tech Construction & Housing, Enterprise Ireland
Fiona Cormican Chief Commercial Officer, Clúid Housing
Derek Byrne General Manager, Way 2 Work Ireland
Rob Fox CEO and Founder, Site Passport Supply Chain
Danny O’Shea Managing Director, Building Information Ireland
Gary Wright Director, Rowsell Wright Ltd
Karen Killoran Partner, Construction and Engineering, Arthur Cox LLP
John O’Shaughnessy Managing Director, Clancy
Brian Collier Procurement Lead Construction, Dublin Airport Authority
Michael Kelleher Group Operations Director, O’Flynn Group
Jonathan Reinhardt Chartered Architectural Technologist MCIAT, Diatec Technical Consultant & Assistant Lecturer in TUD Architectural Technology
