The performance of the Northern Ireland construction industry has continued to improve during the second quarter of 1998, with current workload up by 12 per cent, according to the latest set of figures.

A survey by the Construction Employers' Federation (CEF) has revealed that the biggest growth area was in civil engineering and public non-housing works, each of which was up by almost 30 per cent.

The private industrial and commercial works sector also showed strong growth, with workload rising by nearly 25 per cent.

CEF managing director Mr Tony Doran said that the figures were very encouraging.

"This has beneficial effects for employment, and for the economy as a whole," he said.