'Countless building jobs at risk'

"Hundreds if not thousands" of jobs are at risk in NI if a downturn continues in the construction industry.

This is according to the managing director of the Construction Employers Federation, who says the slump in property prices is not solely to blame.

"There are a lot of broader economic issues baring down on the industry as well," John Armstrong told BBC News.

"Another issue that must be addressed is the proposal that 20% of any project be given over to social housing."

Mr Armstrong added: "If this is going to be introduced, there needs to be adequate time allowed for adjustment to such a major change."

The construction industry chief said that many of his members had "already had to let people go", and estimated that there could be "hundreds if not thousands more job losses across the board".

Approximately 84,000 people work in the construction industry in Northern Ireland and it is thought to generate as much £3.5bn annually.

It had been experiencing a boom period after an unprecedented rise in property prices over recent years.

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