Northern Ireland

Republic's construction sector to open next week as unions and government clash in UK

The Republic's building sector was the only one in the EU to shut down completely due to the pandemic
The Republic's building sector was the only one in the EU to shut down completely due to the pandemic The Republic's building sector was the only one in the EU to shut down completely due to the pandemic

AS unions and the British governments lock horns over prime minister Boris Johnson's call for construction workers to be "actively encouraged to go back to work" immediately, the Republic has indicated a planned return from next Monday.

The Northern Ireland Executive referred queries on the the situation in its jurisdiction to the Health and Safety Executive who did not respond by the time the story went to press yesterday.

In the south, activity in the sector collapsed in April as almost all building sites across the country were forced to shut down due to government lockdown measures aimed at limiting the spread of Covid-19.

More than 100,000 workers lost their jobs in the past month, with the Republic's building sector was the only one in the EU to shut down completely due to the pandemic.

Construction work has always been allowed in England and Wales, with ministers repeatedly encouraging the industry to open, although at one point around 65 per cent of sites had closed down.

Last week that figure was down to 37 per cent, according to data provider Glenigan.

Non-essential construction work remains banned in Scotland and Labour leader Keir Starmer has warned of "England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland pulling in different directions".