Hats off to Northern Ireland’s construction industry

The Finance Minister put on a ‘hard hat’ and protective clothing for work this morning when he made two site visits to construction schemes in Belfast.

The Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP, MLA was launching a major initiative to promote excellence within the building industry in Northern Ireland. And to illustrate the point, he went to have a look at two schemes currently in progress in the Forestside area of Newtownbreda.

‘Constructing Excellence in Northern Ireland’ is a new centre of professional building expertise, based at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. The Department of Finance & Personnel has responsibility for the construction industry and the project will be funded by Government for a three-year period.

“Constructing Excellence will provide relevant advice and information on best practice and increase the capability of the industry to compete in all-island, UK and international markets,” Mr Robinson pointed out.

The Minister was accompanied by Professor Richard Barnett, Vice-Chancellor of the University and together with Tony Doran, Chairman of Constructing Excellence they toured the sites of the Marks & Spencer extension at Forestside and the Castlereagh Community Treatment Centre located close by.

Mr Robinson emphasised the benefits that Constructing Excellence will bring to the industry here:

“Government recognises the important role that the construction industry makes in the economic development of Northern Ireland, employing more than 75,000 people in delivering assets and infrastructure for both the private and public sector.

“Our future success will be down in large measure to the quality of the built environment. Only by offering the highest quality can we compete on the world stage and be in a competitive position when it comes to attracting foreign direct investment.

“For a small region we are blessed with more than our share of prestigious firms, with superb overseas track records and reputations. The Constructing Excellence initiative will provide the local industry with a valuable knowledge base to help it stay ahead of the competition.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Constructing Excellence is the banner under which the construction industry, its clients and Government are working to improve UK construction performance. It aims to showcase innovations in both products and performance and to highlight best practice. It also seeks to encourage the industry and its clients to adopt the principles of Constructing Excellence to their mutual benefit.

2. Based at the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Constructing Excellence is funded by Government for a three year period and will support all sectors of the construction industry in the pursuit of excellence.

3. The programme’s vision is for a sustainable construction industry in Northern Ireland that can demonstrate world class standards and compete in the Global Market.

4. Further information can be obtained from:
Constructing Excellence Northern Ireland
Room IK01
University of Ulster
Jordanstown
Newtownabbey
BT37 0QB
Email: c.smyth@ulster.ac.uk
Tel 028 9036 6215

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