Before joining the CIF, Tom served as a TD for Laois – Offaly and as Minister for State at the Department of Finance from 2002 until 2007. As Minister he was responsible for the Office for Public Works (OPW).

From 1997 to 2001, Tom was President of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), having previously held several other positions with the association.

He is from Coolderry in Co. Offaly.

George Hennessy is responsible for the day to day running of the internal organisation. He is secretary to the CIF Executive Body and the Federation’s Audit and Organisation committee. He oversees the provision of a range of functions and business support services

He is executive director of CPAS which administers the CWPS, CERS, Sick Pay and CIRT schemes.

Gillian is PA to the Director General and Chief Operations Officer.  She also looks after the administration work for the Federation's President during his / her term of office.  As well as these duties Gillian provides secretarial work  to the Federation's Executive Body and some of its sub-Committees.  She has been with the CIF since 1989.

Claire looks after reception for the CIF in our headquarters in Dublin.  As well as greeting all visitors to the CIF and handling public queries, she also handles the many telephone calls made to the main CIF number.  Claire is also the main point of contact for all CIF publications such as contracts and other materials.

Renee is the Executive in charge of membership administration with responsibility for member recruitment and retention, the collection of subscriptions, management of the membership database etc. She is also the Personnel Executive with responsibility for all administration staff. She also manages all of the in-house facilities and is the liaison person for all IT infrastructure issues.

Bernardine is responsible for membership development at the CIF. She has worked in membership development in a number of leading representative bodies in ireland.

At CIF, Bernardine’s main responsibilities include the development and retention of membership. She also works closely with the communications department.

Bernardine has a degree in Marketing and French and a diploma in Public Relations. She is currently the Public Relations Officer for The Mayo Association Dublin.

Shane and his team are responsible for devising and delivering external and internal communications strategies on behalf of the CIF. Shane is also responsible for the development and management of media relations, media engagement strategies, public affairs, government affairs and stakeholder engagement.

Joanna joined the CIF Communications team in January 2017. A former journalist, Joanna plays a key role in the delivery of the CIF public affairs and media relations strategy, overseeing and contributing to the production of internal and external communications materials such as Construction Magazine, e-newsletters, press statements and the CIF’s website and social media platforms.

Joanna has a BA in International Relations and an MA in Journalism. She received the Veronica Guerin Memorial Scholarship in 2007 and spent the following decade working for a number of national newspapers and magazines.

Dermot Carey heads up Safety & Training Department within the CIF. Dermot has responsibility for developing and guiding the CIF’s policy in these areas. Along with shaping policy, the role involves liaising with Government departments, Education sector and members on issues and providing assistance with member safety regulatory compliance. Included in this role is the operation of the Safe-T-Cert accreditation service and its day-to-day operations in the Republic of Ireland.

Jean and her team provide information and advice to contractors on managing their workforce to ensure compliance with employment protective legislation. The Department also represents contractors at third party hearings, including the Rights Commissioner Service, the Labour Relations Commission, the Labour Court, the Equality Tribunal and the Employment Appeals Tribunal. Jean represents the industry at national level on the NJIC and ENJIC. The Department also provides sample contracts of employment, staff handbooks and reference manuals.

Cheryl provides professional advice and support to members regarding employment disputes and compliance with employment protective legislation. She negotiates with employee representatives and represents members at third party hearings at the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court.

Cathy joined the CIF in 2003 and over the following years, Cathy worked in the Industrial Relations and Manpower Department giving advice to members regarding Employment Law and HR issues. More recently in addition to advising members in Employment Law, Cathy now offers full-time support to the Housing Director, in an administrative role.

Dermot Carey heads up Safety & Training Department within the CIF. Dermot has responsibility for developing and guiding the CIF’s policy in these areas. Along with shaping policy, the role involves liaising with Government departments, Education sector and members on issues and providing assistance with member safety regulatory compliance. Included in this role is the operation of the Safe-T-Cert accreditation service and its day-to-day operations in the Republic of Ireland.

Robert Butler heads up the CIF Learning & Development Department and has responsibility for developing and delivering the CIF’s CPD programmes as well as the externally accredited training programmes. Robert has responsibility for developing new content including elearning modules with our business partners.

Flavia Nmakwe is responsible for the CIF IOSH Managing Safety in Construction, CIF/ QQI Level 6 Building Regulations programmes, CIF Temporary Works Awareness Programmes, CIF Contracting & Tendering programmes and QQI Administration.

Mandy McElkearney is part of the administrative team for the Safe-T-Cert Scheme and for the Safety & Manpower and Training Services with particular responsibility for the Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS), Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and the Core Safety Management Renewal (CSMP) programmes.

Conor is responsible for business development within the Learning & Development Department. He liaises with members and non-members in relation to courses taking place throughout the different member regions. He advises on courses that are most applicable to companies and students requirements.

Conor is responsible for IOSH Managing Safely in Construction, QQI Level 6 Project Supervisor for Construction Stage, IOSH Project Supervisor for Design Process, Site Supervisor Safety Programme, QQI Level 6 Building Regulations as well as all other courses within the CIF Learning and Development Portfolio.

Martin has over 40 years experience in the construction sector and joined the Construction Industry Federation in 1995. He has provided advice and guidance to members throughout the country on a wide range of matters which impact directly on the operation, efficiency and the ultimate profitability of member companies.

He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Chartered Institute Accredited Mediator and is an Engineers Ireland Assessed Conciliator

Alison Irving joined the CIF as an administrator in 2008 and has been an Executive since 2013 and Secretary to the Civil Engineering Contractors Association since 2016. She provides assistance and guidance to members on issues relating to prequalification, tendering, contractual matters and disputes amongst other matters. She has a Bachelor of Laws degree, a Masters’ degree in Criminal Justice and was called to the Bar of Ireland in 2014.

Denise Tuffy joined the CIF in 2016 and holds a Masters’ in Business Administration from Trinity College Dublin. She is responsible for the administration function within the Department, in connection with Associations, Committees and Sub-Committees, and deals with member queries on a wide variety of issues.

Sean Downey handles all queries relating to specialist contractors for the Federation. Specialist contractors include both traditional master crafts contractors under the Alliance of Specialist Contractors Association and the specialist engineering contractors of both MEBSCA and ECA.

Sean is also a registered building surveyor.

Gillian Ross is responsible for the executive support of specialist associations’ business within the Federation. Gillian administers a range of member services activities covering marketing and promotion of associations, lobbying and representation. She also deals with member queries on procurement, tendering and contractual matters, amongst other issues.

Orla Brady is responsible for the administration and support of Specialist Contracting business within the Federation.

Hubert Fitzpatrick is responsible for a range of policy functions affecting the construction industry including finance and banking matters, taxation and budgetary policy, housing, development, planning and regulatory policy and the introduction of proposed registration process for the construction industry known as Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI).

Hubert is also Director of the Irish Homebuilders Association and Director for the Federation’s Eastern Region.

Cathy joined the CIF in 2003 and over the following years, Cathy worked in the Industrial Relations and Manpower Department giving advice to members regarding Employment Law and HR issues. More recently in addition to advising members in Employment Law, Cathy now offers full-time support to the Housing Director, in an administrative role.

Lorraine joined the CIF in 2017 and has 7 years’ experience working in the construction industry on a national and international level.

Lorraine is the Housing, Planning & Development Executive in the CIF and provides advisory services to all CIF members in relation to Housing, Planning and Development and Building Regulation. Lorraine also provides executive support and advice to the Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA) on a wide range of regulatory and advisory topics.

Lorraine is working with the Admissions and Registration Board for the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI), the registration process for builders and contractors.

Hubert Fitzpatrick is responsible for a range of policy functions affecting the construction industry including finance and banking matters, taxation and budgetary policy, housing, development, planning and regulatory policy and the introduction of proposed registration process for the construction industry known as Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI).

Hubert is also Director of the Irish Homebuilders Association and Director for the Federation’s Eastern Region.

James Benson is a qualified Engineer and Quantity Surveyor graduating from Waterford Institute of Technology and Dublin Institute of Technology respectively. James spent several years of his professional career surveying with building contractors before specializing in the field of passive fire protection before joining CIF.

James offers support and advise to the members, liaison with local authorities and is developing a field of expertise within building regulations and planning services for members.

He also services the following regional branches of the CIF – Kildare, Kilkenny/ Carlow, North East, Wicklow/ North Wexford.

Conor O’Connell joined the CIF in 2001 and provides Industrial/Employee Relations and Regional Services to members from the CIF Cork office. Conor is Secretary of the Mid West Branch of the CIF as well as a number of regional committees.

He has extensive experience at representing members in the Employment Appeals Tribunal, Rights Commissioner, Labour Court, Labour Relations Commission and the Equality Tribunal. He also represents members through the industry’s dispute resolution procedures and has resolved many Industrial/Employee Relations disputes on behalf of members.

Conor is a member of the CIF delegation on the National Joint Industrial Council for Construction Industry and the Electrical Contracting Industry.

Ronan O’Brien is an Executive for the CIF Southern Region, servicing the South East, Cork, Mid West and Kerry Branches of the CIF. A Graduate of Waterford Institute of Technology, Ronan has worked in the construction industry all his professional career. His career involved working with large multi-national organisations in the Middle East and Canada, in the Oil & Gas and Mining & Metal industries before returning to the Irish market. Ronan deals with member queries on procurement, tendering and contractual matters, amongst other issues. He also represents member interests on a number of Regional Committees and to Regional Local Authorities. He also liaises with key industry stakeholders, to be guest speakers at morning briefings and other events in the Southern Region for CIF members.

Bríd has worked in the Cork Office of CIF since 1997.  She provides administrative support to staff in both the Cork and Galway offices and looks after reception for the CIF Cork Office.

As well as greeting all visitors to the office and handling public & member queries, she also handles the many telephone calls made to the Cork and Galway offices.  Bríd is also the main point of contact for all CIF publications such as contracts and other materials.

Bríd co-ordinates all of the in-house facilities with respect to training courses and meetings held in the Cork Office.

Justin Molloy is the Regional Director for the CIF in the Western and Midland and has extensive experience of working in the construction industry. He is currently responsible for managing the four CIF Western and Midland regional branches; Galway, Donegal, North West and Midland Branches.

Justin also offers expert advice and support to the members, as well as representing their interests on a number of regional committees. He regularly meets with the regional Local Authorities, State Agencies and other industry bodies to further the aims of the industry.

Hubert Fitzpatrick is responsible for a range of policy functions affecting the construction industry including finance and banking matters, taxation and budgetary policy, housing, development, planning and regulatory policy and the introduction of proposed registration process for the construction industry known as Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI).

Hubert is also Director of the Irish Homebuilders Association and Director for the Federation’s Eastern Region.

Antoinette joined the CIF administration team in 2016, bringing over 15 years of experience with her. Antoinette is in charge of the activities that relate to the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI), the new official online register of competent builders. Along with this Antoinette is also responsible for the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) element of CIRI.

Lorraine joined the CIF in 2017 and has 7 years’ experience working in the construction industry on a national and international level.

Lorraine is the Housing, Planning & Development Executive in the CIF and provides advisory services to all CIF members in relation to Housing, Planning and Development and Building Regulation. Lorraine also provides executive support and advice to the Irish Home Builders Association (IHBA) on a wide range of regulatory and advisory topics.

Lorraine is working with the Admissions and Registration Board for the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI), the registration process for builders and contractors.

Jeanette is the CIF’s Economic and Policy Research Executive. She works with Federation policy committees and Directors, helping guide policy across a spectrum of economic / industry / fiscal / regulatory / development issues. She is also responsible for carrying out and commissioning new research, expanding the CIF’s information databases, preparation of submissions and strategy papers and advocating on various industry matters to support CIF’s dialogue with key policy stakeholders.

Jeanette joined the CIF in 2007 as Housing, Planning and Development Executive, a role she held until 2017. She was Project Manager of CIRI (Construction Industry Register Ireland) from 2013 to 2017 during which time she oversaw the establishment and operation of the new register. Jeanette has been Manager of the CIF’s Register of Heritage Contractors since 2011.