Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage Launches Guaranteed Irish Construction Sector Specification Listing

Tuesday September 22, 2020: Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage Darragh O'Brien TD launched the Guaranteed Irish House online listing, the country’s first national listing of sustainable construction sector businesses based in Ireland. The new initiative by Guaranteed Irish offers architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and interior designers a listing of locally produced raw building materials and home furnishings for both private and commercial builds.

The online listing www.guaranteedirishhouse.ie includes all the elements of the supply chain required for a building, from raw materials to final furnishings, that can be sourced locally and help reduce the carbon footprint while supporting jobs and businesses here in Ireland. 

This initiative is supported by Guaranteed Irish construction members, Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), Engineers Ireland, Construction Industry Federation (CIF) & more. The listing is open to all Guaranteed Irish members that manufacturer and supply products and services that are used in the build, retrofit and design of private and commercial projects in Ireland, at no additional expense to the member.

Leading global construction firms including Kingspan, Tegral, IPL, Tretford, Glennon Brothers, Wavin and SISK are all supportive of the need for a standardised specification listing of sustainable construction and interiors sector businesses for Ireland. These firms operate in Ireland, protect local jobs, and support our communities. This is one of many steps in our efforts as an organisation to support Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Projections 2040 while supporting local manufacturers and suppliers and in turn, contributing to the local economy amid the social and economic impacts of Covid-19.

Paddy Kelly, Managing Director of Tegral Building Products & Chair of Guaranteed Irish said, ‘The members within the construction supply chain are frustrated to see so many opportunities pass them by. Our members can easily match, if not exceed, the quality and competitiveness of international firms that do not support jobs, communities, or local economies. The concept of providing access to a one-stop-shop for local Irish suppliers of building materials was borne out at last year’s Construction Forum with support from Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI), Engineers Ireland and Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI). Members of the RIAI welcomed a resource that would allow them reference and source Irish suppliers for both public and private builds. This will also reduce the carbon footprint as there will be less travel miles involved.’

Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage Darragh O'Brien TD welcomed the Guaranteed Irish House initiative as a collective showcase of all Irish based businesses that can contribute to the building of homes, schools, factories, or hospitals. He said it would raise awareness of the range of Irish construction products available to architects and developers and encouraged them to make use of the resource when determining specifications. ‘Quality, robust, sustainable construction products that result in good quality housing for citizens is essential. When using locally produced raw building materials we are not only benefitting local jobs and the local economy but also furthering our climate action aims. Ultimately, homes which are built to the highest standards and which are safe and healthy to live in is the top priority,’ he said.

Kathryn Meghen, CEO at Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) also welcomed the new initiative as, ‘a useful specification listing of businesses based in Ireland for the construction industry. It is a welcome resource by Guaranteed Irish, allowing industry members reference and source Irish suppliers for both commercial and private projects. The initiative is a step forward in supporting the local economy.’

About Guaranteed Irish
Guaranteed Irish is a business membership network championing business based in Ireland since 1974. The Guaranteed Irish symbol is the national symbol of trust in business in Ireland. The official Guaranteed Irish licenced mark is awarded to businesses based in Ireland that support sustainable jobs, contribute to our local communities, and are committed to Irish provenance.

Guaranteed Irish currently backs over 1,200 business members, employing 100,000 people across Ireland, generating an annual combined Irish turnover of €12.9bn.

www.guaranteedirishhouse.ie/