Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association
The Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association is the representative association for firms specialising in civil engineering works. Members are drawn from all over Ireland and range from small business to companies generating hundreds of millions in turnover every year.
The infrastructure provided by the work carried out by members of the CECA is essential to the development of the country, with works typically undertaken including projects such as roads, bridges, motorways, airports, ports, water supply and treatment, and flood prevention. These works have brought Ireland’s infrastructure to a world-class standard over the past decades.
The association liaises with Government departments and contracting authorities and clients on tendering and contractual matters, along with providing the full range of services in procurement, tendering and contractual and dispute resolution.
Services
Provided by CECA
Main contracting
The staff of the main contracting department provide assistance to members across a wide range of areas as set out below.
Specialist contracting services
The department provides information and assistance on all contractual issues including prequalification, tendering, contract issues and disputes, and it can provide detailed reviews of tender and contract documents and advice on the risks being presented.
Learning and development
Training programmes
The main contracting department in the CIF is responsible for the development of training programmes for members, which are delivered by subject matter experts. Recent training programmes delivered to members include:
Prequalification and tendering
- Construction Contracts Act 2013
- Getting started with public procurement
- Basics of construction law
If members are interested in company-specific training on a particular topic, please contact the main contracting department for further information.
Webinars
Another feature of the offering to members are webinars, which are arranged on a regular basis on areas of interest to members and topical issues in the industry. Past webinars includes topics such as:
Brexit
- Making Covid-19 related claims
- Green procurement
- Adjudication
All members are notified of upcoming webinars, which are free to attend for paid-up members of the CIF.
Industrial relations
All members of the CIF have access to the industrial relations department which provides invaluable support and assistance to members in respect of industrial relations issues.
The Industrial Relations Sub-Committee of the CIF deals with policy matters in relation to pay and conditions of employment of workers in the industry including issues such as hourly rates, pensions, sick pay, working hours, union engagement etc. Main contracting members of the CIF are very well represented on this committee by nominees from the Master Builders’ and Contractors’ Association and the Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association.
Additional services
Payment Recovery Assistance Programme (PRAP)
One vital service available to all fully paid-up members of the CIF is the Payment Recovery Assistance Programme. This programme is offered in conjunction with solicitors’ firms who are business members of the CIF.
The PRAP Scheme has been in operation to 2010 and provides a unique and highly beneficial service to members who find themselves in difficulty when trying to recover payment from their clients.
For further information on the PRAP scheme, please contact the main contracting team by email at [email protected] or by telephone at (01) 406 6000.
CECA dinner sponsors 2026
The 18th Annual CECA Dinner & Awards is taking place on Friday 25th September 2026
Colas Ireland
With over 100 years of expertise, Colas is a global leader in the science of roads, specializing in the development, sourcing, and application of a wide range of products and services for the road industry. Colas Ireland builds on this legacy as a leading provider of end-to-end solutions, delivering high-quality services across all aspects of road infrastructure. Together with its subsidiaries, the COLAS team has been at the forefront of road maintenance for more than a century, driven by a commitment to innovation and the highest standards in everything from advanced road surfacing to sustainable recycling practices.
P.J. Brett & Associates
P.J. Brett & Associates has been providing private and public clients with innovative engineering solutions tailor made to suit each project’s specific requirements.
P.J. Brett & Associates was founded by P.J. Brett in 2004, with P.J. having previously worked as a senior engineer with a large consultancy practice in Limerick for over a decade.
Since its creation, our firm has grown steadily to meet our ever growing demand. We now employ a number or full time and part time staff at our main office in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
Our impressive and diverse portfolio contains a variety of projects, with work being completed across Limerick, Tipperary and Clare for leading developers and public bodies. Some examples include North Tipperary County Council, Shannon Development and the OPW.
As a result of the wide experience of our firm, P.J. Brett & Associates is in a position to provide engineering consultancy services across the full spectrum of construction projects including commercial, industrial, residential and infrastructural projects.
Vp Groundforce
Groundforce is the market-leading rental provider of excavation support systems and specialist products for the water, civil engineering, and construction industries. With a remarkable 60-year heritage, we offer comprehensive shoring and related services.
Operating under the Groundforce banner, we provide a wide range of solutions, including shoring, piling, construction training, temporary bridging, and more. Our goal is to be the convenient one-stop shop for “total solutions” in the construction and civil engineering industry.
Kilsaran
Kilsaran is Ireland’s leading independent, family-owned construction materials manufacturer, operating across six specialised business units including Precast & Ready Mix Concrete, Paving & Walling, Road Surfacing & Contracting, KPRO Dry Mortar Products and Materials Recovery & Recycling. With over 30 locations across Ireland and the UK, we deliver high-quality standard and bespoke solutions to both commercial and retail markets. Controlling the full supply chain from quarry to finished product, Kilsaran is driven by excellence, innovation, and sustainability, supporting national infrastructure while advancing ESG commitments aligned with global climate goals.
CECA gallery
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Officers
Trevor Wills
CECA President
Joe Lavan
CECA Vice President
Martin Maher
CECA Immediate Past President
Key contacts
On CECA
Paul Sheridan
Director of Main Contracting
As Director of Main Contracting Services with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), Paul provides administrative leadership of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association and Master Builders and Contractors Association. He is also the secretary to the CIF’s Procurement, Tendering and Contractual Matters Policy Sub-Committee. Paul is a Chemical Engineering Graduate, and holds a postgraduate diploma in Construction Law and Contract Administration. He also has experience in and holds qualifications in Strategy and Innovation, Business Transformation, Organisation Development, Leadership, Lean 6-Sigma and Strategic HR. Paul began his career as a Contracts Manager in the Water and Waste Water Industry. He previously worked in the Tendering and Contracting Department in the CIF before working as an Executive in the Industrial Property Development sector. Since then, Paul has worked with Engineers Ireland and the Royals College of Surgeons in areas of policy development, governance, internal consultancy, membership support and service, advocacy, representation, quality assurance and process excellence, accreditation, academic and professional education, training, strategy and business transformation.
Kaleigh Scales
Main Contracting Executive
Kaleigh joined the CIF in May 2025. Prior to joining, she worked as a Senior Consultant in EY’s Economic Advisory practice, where she specialised in business case development, economic and financial analysis, and regulatory advisory across sectors including housing, energy, and tourism. Kaleigh holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics from Trinity College Dublin. As Executive of Main Contracting Services, Kaleigh works across a range of policy areas to support the interests of CIF members.
Jonathan Flynn
Contracts & Procurement Specialist
Helen Early
Administrator, Main Contracting
Helen Early joined the CIF in 2023. Helen provides support to the Executive CECA and MBCA Councils. Also responsible for providing support to Environment Social & Governance, Procurement Tendering & Contractual Matters, Water Services Operators Group and Liaison Sub-Committees.
Civil Engineering Projects: Clontarf to City Cycle Scheme, dublin
Projects like the Clontarf to City Cycle Scheme, undertaken by Clonmel Enterprises Ltd, have long-term benefits for communities as they incorporate sustainability into the future of the area. Watch our latest video to learn more about how this inspiring project is modifying the area for future generations.
Civil Engineering Projects: Salmon Weir Bridge, Galway
Civil engineering projects enhance the quality of our lives and support local communities. Watch the video of how the Salmon Weir Bridge in Galway was built by Jons Civil Engineering Co. Ltd, with an area’s current and future needs in mind.
Civil Engineering Projects: Bilberry to Waterford City Centre Greenway
The extension, carried out by John Cradock Ltd, will enhance the area by connecting the popular walking and cycling route from Bilberry to the city. See in the video how working in construction gives many opportunities to contribute to major projects that support local economies.