The impact of foot-and-mouth disease and the harsh winter has had an adverse effect on CRH's growth in the first quarter of the year, shareholders at the group's AGM were told today.
CRH chairman Mr Pat Molloy said exceptionally wet weather in Britain had slowed activity in the housing sector.
In Europe, weather has also been poor and trading patterns have been mixed, Mr Molloy said.
He said though the economic outlook remained uncertain, CRH expects to see a recovery later in the year from current levels.