“The transition to offsite manufacturing is no longer an ‘option’ – it is the only way forward”
Paul Tierney, CEO, MMC Ireland, speaks with ROBBIE COUSINS about the group’s rapid growth, why its upcoming national conference is a must-attend event for industry stakeholders, and the systemic barriers, from certification bottlenecks to procurement policy, that the industry must overcome to meet the demands of 2026 and beyond.
The Irish construction landscape is at a critical juncture. Faced with a persistent housing crisis and ambitious climate targets, the industry is increasingly looking toward Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) as the definitive solution. At the heart of this transition is MMC Ireland, an industry body dedicated to mainstreaming offsite and other innovative building techniques.
The MMC Ireland National Conference 2026
Now in its fourth year, the MMC Ireland National Conference has become a barometer for the sector’s health. Paul Tierney, who joined the organisation just weeks before its first conference in 2023, has watched the event evolve from a modest gathering of 150 people and 18 exhibitors to a sold-out industry staple.
Paul Tierney comments, “Thankfully, it’s grown every year. This year, exhibition space and sponsorship have been sold out since before Christmas. We have over 40 top-class exhibitors, all experts in their respective MMC field.”
So, why is the conference such a key event?
The surge in interest in the MMC Ireland National Conference is reflected in the number of delegates, which doubled from 150 to 300 last year, and we are approaching 400 this year. However, for Tierney, success isn’t just about the quantity of attendees; it is about the quality of the discourse. MMC Ireland has implemented a strict ban on “sales presentations”. Instead, speakers have been asked to focus on innovation and education.
“What I’m absolutely against is sales presentations. Speakers have to come with something new and innovative, providing new insights for audiences,” he explains.
The rigorous selection process is overseen by an event committee comprising board members and working group chairs who identify key advocates and experts across Ireland, the UK, and Europe.
A new format for 2026
Feedback from previous years has led to a shift in the conference format. The 2026 event is a high-impact one-day main event, followed by an excellent networking event for all delegates, speakers and exhibitors. The conference is preceded by a “pre-day” featuring:
- Factory Tours: Visits to member manufacturing facilities within an hour of the venue.
- Speed Networking: A relaxed, fun, evening event for members to connect before the formal sessions begin.
This approach ensures that delegates get the opportunity to attend a live factory tour demonstrating the best of MMC the day before the conference, followed by a high-quality one-day event. MMC Ireland, in association with its industry partner, MMC Accelerate, has scheduled a further six factory tours this year.
Breaking the certification bottleneck
A recurring theme within the sector has been frustration surrounding the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) certification process.
For many manufacturers, the journey to obtaining an Agrément certificate is a two-to three-year process that stifles the very innovation it is meant to regulate.
However, Paul Tierney understands and empathises with the under-resourced NSAI, with a small number of highly professional people trying to get offsite manufacturers through the process as quickly as possible.
He points out that there have been significant improvements in the process and the new MMC Toolkit launched by the NSAI is certainly a step forward. “Already in 2026, we are starting to see some of the backlog of Agrément Certs being issued.”
There is further cause for optimism. The government’s latest “Delivering Homes” report uses the word ‘overhaul’ in relation to the NSAI. While the exact definition of this overhaul remains to be seen, Paul Tierney expects it to involve more resources, further collaboration and better alignment with industry needs.
Standardisation: The light gauge steel initiative
Paul Tierney welcomes the recent major STANDARDIZE breakthrough from Construct Innovate.
“In the Irish construction landscape, timber frame dwellings must adhere to the IS 440:2009 Timber Frame Dwellings standard. At the same time, all other off-site systems are required to undergo a comprehensive NSAI Agrément certification that evaluates every specific layer of a system’s material composition.”
MMC have proven effective at accelerating project delivery and enhancing environmental performance by lowering embodied carbon and minimising waste. To further this progress, the STANDARDIZE initiative is focused on developing open-access design templates for Light Gauge Steel (LGS) systems that ensure full compliance with Building Regulations.
“This is a fantastic initiative, the only one of its type in Europe,” he says. “This project aims to create standardised solutions that could eventually open up the market without the constant need for individual Agrément certifications. This model is expected to migrate from 2D panelised systems to 3D volumetric solutions, providing a ‘revolutionary’ shift in how projects are delivered.”
The procurement challenge: Moving beyond “cheapest wins”
Perhaps the most significant barrier to a sustainable MMC industry is the current public procurement model. Historically, tenders have been awarded based on the “Most Economically Advantageous Tender” (MEAT), which in practice often defaults to the lowest upfront cost.
To combat this, MMC Ireland is collaborating with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Engineers Ireland, the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI), and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI).
Together, these bodies are authoring an MMC Public Procurement Policy Paper. The goal is to encourage the government to evaluate tenders based on Whole Life Costs and Carbon Footprints rather than just the initial capital expenditure.
“Once we start looking at carbon costs and whole-life costs, we become a sustainable purchaser of our infrastructure,” Paul Tierney argues. “Failing to make this shift could result in billions of euros in environmental fines as Ireland tracks toward its 2030 targets.”
The skills gap: A demographic time bomb
The push for MMC is not just about efficiency; it is a necessity driven by a shrinking workforce.
Paul Tierney highlights a sobering statistic from the UK, which shares a similar demographic profile to Ireland: for every seven people leaving the construction industry, only one is joining.
“Unless we embrace manufacturing and new ways to build, we’re going to run into a roadblock where we just don’t have the people to build what we need,” he warns.
This is where the BIM (Building Information Modelling) gap becomes critical.
He expresses his surprise at how far Ireland has lagged behind the UK in BIM adoption. “While the UK mandated BIM Level 2 for government contracts in 2016, Ireland has only now moved toward mandatory implementation. Catching up is essential for SMEs to remain competitive and for MMC to become ‘mainstream construction’ rather than a niche sector.”
What lies ahead?
When asked what success would look like for the MMC sector in five years, Paul Tierney points to the government’s recent target of 25% of social and affordable housing should be built using MMC. “In five years, I’d like that number to be more than 50%,” he says. “Success would mean that the MMC label is no longer necessary because these methods have simply been incorporated and adopted into how we build schools, homes, and hospitals.”
He continues, “The progress is already visible. Last year’s government accelerated delivery programme saw 1,500 social and affordable homes across 36 sites commissioned to be built using MMC. With all these homes currently on-site or in contract, the industry will have a proven template for scaling.”
In conclusion
MMC Ireland is no longer just an advocacy group; it is a central pillar in the government’s strategy to solve the housing crisis, build the increasing number of schools and hospitals we need and to meet our sustainability goals. By addressing the “meat and potatoes” issues of certification, procurement, and standardisation, Paul Tierney and the MMC Ireland board are laying the groundwork for a more resilient, digital, and sustainable Irish construction industry. As the industry prepares for the upcoming MMC Ireland National Conference, the message from Paul Tierney is clear: “The transition to increased adoption of offsite manufacturing is no longer an ‘option’ – it is critical if we are to have any chance in meeting our country’s infrastructure needs.”
The MMC Ireland National Conference 2026 takes place on Thursday, 05 March at the Johnstown Inn, Enfield, Co Meath. Click to book your place