Irish construction activity fell to new low in May;
Irish construction activity as measured by the Ulster Bank Construction Purchasing Managers' Index -- a seasonally adjusted index designed to measure the overall performance of Ireland's construction economy -- fell to a new survey low of 33.9 in May to signal a substantial deterioration in construction sector performance.
UK construction activity grew 2.2 per cent in July and fell less sharply than previously thought in the second quarter, data showed yesterday, adding to signs the economy is slowly edging out of recession.