New Construction Industry Federation President Dominic Doheny sets out the agenda for his presidency in a wide-ranging interview in this month’s CIF Construction magazine

In an interview with Construction magazine editor Martin Foran, incoming Construction Industry Federation President Dominic Doheny, Joint Managing Director of John Flanagan Developments, outlines his concerns about a two tier economic recovery in Ireland, with Dublin experiencing the vast majority of activity while small towns and communities, are lagging behind.

Offaly native Mr Doheny stated: These (construction firms) – in many cases – are family businesses with a long track-record in their local communities.  They’ve provided jobs in the community, built homes, put in infrastructure, replenished towns and villages for decades and they generally support local clubs and sports organisations.” 

He is calling on the Government to ensure the right infrastructure is in place for the country as a whole to benefit with growth.

Mr Doheny believes Ireland could be the envy of Europe if we get our infrastructure right. “We need to develop a vision for infrastructure that leverages each area’s strengths and connects regions to the economic engine of the GDA.”

Speaking about the CIF and the state of readiness in the Irish construction industry he says: “Companies have been in survival mode for the past five to seven years and many are ready to deliver quality product as the recovery takes hold.

“However, finance is not available – be it from the domestic banks, equity funds and most of the funds established by the Government.” He says: “The CIF will be tackling this issue head-on in 2017 and we will be carrying out a study into the availability of finance as part of making a case to Government.  These are viable businesses with a contribution to make who are being excluded from the economy because of a lack of finance. 

Read the full interview with the incoming Construction Industry Federation President in Construction magazine