CRH anticipates further growth this year, following the 38 per cent rise in profits to £160.5 million in 1995, the chairman, Mr Tony Barry, told the 380 shareholders at yesterday's annual general meeting.

However, the hour long meeting was dominated by criticism from some shareholders of the group's plans to operate a gravel pit at Blessington, Co Wicklow.

For the third successive year, this group criticised Wicklow County Council's proposals to rezone land which would allow Roadstone (CRH's subsidiary) to operate a gravel quarry near Blessington in an area covered by forestry. But even if this rezoning goes ahead, Roadstone will still need to get planning permission.

CRH was asked not to proceed with planning permission, but Mr Barry stressed that this would not be in the shareholders' interests. ,One, Mr Francis Corcoran, claimed that Roadstone had pursued a policy of interfering with local politics which was designed to destabilise the people to "get your own way". However, Mr Barry said the company's policy was to be a "good neighbour".

The chairman stressed that the annual general meeting was not the forum to discuss planning. This, he added, was adequately dealt with at the local level.

The meeting was told that the domestic market had started strongly. Demand for cement and concrete products showed a significant advance" in the first four months, Mr Barry said.

The increase in activity was evident in both the Dublin and provincial markets. Cement prices, were increased by 3.5 per cent from January 1st. The benefits of which are expected to flow through this year. Mr Barry noted that this was the first price increase for five years.

The group is not experiencing the same buoyancy elsewhere. The chairman said construction activity in Britain remained depressed, while in Europe its operations were severely affected by the longest winter since 1963.

The omens here are not particularly bright with Mr Barry noting that "considerable effort and favourable demand conditions will be required if the impact is to be fully redressed over the remaining months of 1996".

Operations in the eastern part of the US were hit by very severe weather. Nevertheless, Mr Barry stressed that the general economic background remains favourable and, with the benefit of recent acquisitions, a further good performance is expected from its North American operations.

He told the shareholders that the group has spent almost £100 million on acquisitions and investment this year. After the meeting, the finance director, Mr Harry Sheridan, noted that the group spends between £100 million and £300 million per annum. Quality location is the key, he said.

A shareholder, Mr Sean Kelly, a retired employee, criticised the size of the directors salaries and the amount of casual staff now employed by the company. Mr Barry argued that there has to be an element of casual employment, because the industry is volatile and competitive. The rates paid, he added, are generally superior to those paid by other companies.