Commenting on the Construction Output Statistics, Neal Taylor, Audit and Assurance Partner at leading business advisory firm Grant Thornton in Belfast, said:
“A rise in activity of 5.5 per cent over the three months to the end of September compared to the second quarter is significant and provides positive reading in the latest Northern Ireland Construction Bulletin.
“Given that the traditional July holidays fall within the period, construction
levels in the third quarter can tend to be leaner, or flat, compared to the rest of the year, but that is not what we are seeing here.
“The volume was also 2 per cent higher than the same period in 2017, illustrating a continued upward trend of rising output that has prevailed since the end of 2014.
“That said, it is still unknown how Brexit and wider political uncertainty will impact the industry going forward, particularly for large infrastructure and commercial projects, while the subdued sales expectations of surveyors outlined in the most recent UK Residential Market Survey, adds further context.”