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.

Maude is the Executive responsible for the day to day operation of all membership processes & the management of the Federation’s CRM membership database.

She joined the CIF in 2014 as CIRI Administrator. She was promoted to her current position in January 2018.

Bernardine is responsible for marketing and membership development at the CIF. She has worked in similar roles in a number of leading representative bodies in Ireland.

At CIF, Bernardine’s main responsibilities include securing and growing new business for the organisation.

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.

John provides executive support for members of the CIF, primarily in the sphere of health and safety. One of John’s key objectives is to develop and deliver health and safety policies and initiatives for the construction sector. John also participates on working groups for the CIF and the Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (CSPAC).

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 Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court. Jean represents the industry at national level on the NJIC and ENJIC. The Department also provides sample contracts of employment, staff handbooks (which include all relevant policies and procedures) and reference guides.

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.

Anthony advises and supports member firms in relation to employee disputes, compliance with employment protective legislation and general day to day IR/HR issues. On behalf of members, he negotiates with employee representatives to resolve disputes where appropriate. He also represents members at the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court.

Anthony has experience across various industries, holds a Masters in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), and is also an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

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.

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

Kim is responsible for credit control and aged debt control. Kim’s key responsibilities are in dealing with QQI for our accredited programs. Kim provides administration for the following CIF programs; QQI Level 6 Building Control program, QQI Level 6 Project Supervisor Construction Stage, CIF IOSH Project Supervisor Design Process, CIF Appointed Persons for Crane program, CIF /EPA Radon program, CIF Core Safety Management Renewal Regional programs, CIF Management & Inspection of Scaffolding program, Conservation Theory Heritage Contractors program, Air Tightness Program. Kim also controls the CIF Virtual Academy programs.

Martin Lang is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Chartered Institute Accredited Mediator and is an Engineers Ireland Assessed Conciliator. He has been involved in the construction industry for over 40 years. Martin began his career as an Estimator and trained as a Quantity Surveyor in Dublin. He has had an extensive career in Company Management as MD together with Project and Construction Management in the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, the Middle East and West Africa. He joined the Construction Industry Federation in 1995 as an Executive Officer, served as Head of Contracts and Dispute Management he has held the position of Director of Main Contracting since 2013.

He has acted as Mediator and Conciliator in over 200 construction related disputes as well as being responsible for  the development and delivery of national training programmes and advice services in relation to pre-tender, pre-qualification issues, contract documents, claims management, dispute resolution, public sector procurement etc.

He is also a published author having co written 6 books the most recent of which in 2018 dealing with public procurement and public sector contracts.

He is a practicing Mediator and 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.

A Chartered and Registered Building Surveyor with over 20 years post graduate, technical and project management experience in Irish and European building projects.

Managing specialist and subcontractor trade associations to assist in the development of professional, efficient contracting businesses. Our aim is to showcase the value of our member companies as 'best in class' and to help them achieve their business growth ambitions.

Leading initiatives on innovation, BIM and continuous improvement for the construction sector.

Specialist support areas primarily include, advising on contract, payment, dispute resolution and procurement issues.

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.

Jennifer Nisbet-Daly joined the CIF in 2018 and holds a Post Grad in Innovation & Enterprise from University College Dublin. She is responsible for administration and event coordination within the Department, in connection with Associations, Committees and Sub-Committees, and deals with member queries on a wide variety of issues.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Denis joined CIF in 2016 to manage IT within the group of companies in CIF. Denis manages the IT across CIF and CPAS (CWPS, CERS & Milestone Advisory). Starting out in Intel, Denis has worked in the Private Sector, Public Sector and Not for Profit Sector during his 22 year carrier in IT.  He is a graduate of Trinity Collage Dublin and holds an honours degree in Management of Information Systems.

Denis delivers transformational change across the organisations, leveraging IT to support, enhance and transform the work of the CIF and the pension function within the group. He also has a breath of experience in organisational management, with skills in Programme Management, Process Improvement, Pension Software Development, Governance, Strategic Planning, Change Management, Quality, Risk, HR and H&S.

Denis is a member of the Executive Group in CPAS and the Senior Management Team in CIF, ensuring IT is at the heart of all strategic thinking and change programmes across the group.

Paul joined the CIF in 2017 and prior to this spent several years delivering IT Services across Financial, Banking and Telecommunications organisations in Ireland. Paul is a qualified IT Professional graduating from the Institute of Technology Carlow and Dublin Business School.

Paul is the ICT Service Delivery Lead in the CIF and provides support across all IT systems for CIF. He also co-ordinates the delivery of ICT Projects and manages IT Vendors ensuring effective use of technology to support the activities and strategies of 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.

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.

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.

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.

Susan joined the CIF in 2018 and has 5 years’ experience working in the property industry on a national and international level. Susan oversees the activities that relate to the Construction Industry Register Ireland (CIRI), the new official online register of competent builders. Along with this Susan is also responsible for the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) element of CIRI.