RPS finds Irish market 'challenging'

Planning consultants RPS said market conditions in Ireland remain challenging with a further tightening of project budgets, pressure on fee rates and slower payments from clients.

In an interim statement released today, RPS said that given the economic situation in Ireland it has not yet been able to anticipate how the recession will impact on financing of public sector infrastructure projects, a key  driver of its business locally.

The company said its business in Northern Ireland remained "better positioned."

It added that its balance sheet remains in god shape and that further acquisitions are being considered.