Author: Kevin Barry BSc(Hons) MRICS

Key Legal Developments as of September 2025 The Irish construction industry is experiencing significant regulatory changes in 2025, driven by efforts to enhance standards, sustainability, worker protections, and infrastructure delivery. Below is a summary of the most recent and impactful legal news, based on developments up to September 2025. 1. Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for […]

Starting a monthly update, here is a list of the top 10 issues currently important to building contractors and clients in Northern Ireland, based on recent industry reports and forecasts. These reflect challenges in September 2025 and anticipated trends leading into December 2025, such as ongoing economic pressures, infrastructure limitations, and policy developments. I’ve prioritized […]

UK Construction PMI: A Glimmer of Hope Amid Calls for Bold ReformThe UK construction sector has been navigating choppy waters, but the latest figures offer a ray of optimism. Released today, the S&P Global UK Construction PMI for August 2025 climbed to 45.5, surpassing expectations of 45.0 and marking an improvement from July’s 44.3. While […]

How my father’s lighthouse keeper legacy gave me the perfect blueprint for building an iconic brand identity When Phil Knight paid a graphic design student $35 for what would become the world’s most recognizable logo, he had no idea he was creating a symbol worth $26 billion today. The Nike swoosh didn’t become iconic overnight—it […]

Summary of Construction Output (Year-to-Date 2025, £ Millions) Ireland (Republic of Ireland) Northern Ireland Comparison Notes

The net effect of Donald Trump’s tariffs applied to date (as of August 1, 2025) on UK construction products and services is multifaceted, with both direct and indirect impacts. Below is a summary based on available information: 1. Direct Impact on UK Construction Products: – 10% Tariff on UK Goods: The US has imposed a […]

As Strangford Lough Crossing (SLC) at early stages, we can review the processes and progress of Narrow Water Bridge, through the prism of Narrow Water Bridge Community Network, led by Chairman Jim Boylan, who, amongst others, campaigned for year to see this scheme develop. Thus far, the information shared and stories told, are interesting to […]

To assess whether Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcements on July 21, 2025, regarding the UK water and sewerage industry reform align with the proposed 10-point plan based on world best practices, I’ll evaluate each point against the details from the provided sources, particularly the landmark review by Sir Jon Cunliffe and related government statements. The […]

Reforming the UK water and sewerage industry to align with world best practices requires addressing inefficiencies, environmental concerns, and public trust while drawing on successful global models. Below is a concise 10-point plan, informed by international benchmarks like those in Singapore, the Netherlands, and Australia, tailored to the UK context. 1. **Nationalize Strategic Assets, Retain […]