AGM Statement

CRH PLC
04 May 2005



CHAIRMAN'S UPDATING STATEMENT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 4th MAY 2005

Overall trading in the first four months has been positive with a strong start
to the year in our American operations partly offset by the effects of severe
March weather in Northern Europe which hampered activity in a number of our
operations.

In our Europe Materials operations, despite some variations in demand, overall
volumes are broadly in line with 2004 and price increases necessary to recover
higher energy and other input costs are being implemented in most markets. Irish
construction activity continues at a strong level with volumes ahead in most
product categories. Our operations in Finland and Switzerland have recovered in
April from weather related setbacks in March. Although demand in Poland has been
particularly affected by late winter weather the outlook is positive as we move
into the busier months in that country. The trends to date in our Iberian
operations are encouraging and 2005 will of course benefit from a full year's
contribution from our investment in Secil which was finalised in June 2004.

The overall economic backdrop for our Europe Products & Distribution activities
in the Benelux, Germany and France remains subdued and trading over the early
less busy months was not helped by severe March weather. These conditions
impacted demand in our Concrete operations, but our Clay and Building Products
businesses have had a more positive start to the year. Insulation operations
continue to suffer from volatility in energy-related input costs. In
Distribution, while Builders Merchants sales were hampered by poor March
weather, our DIY activities have been less affected.

Although the construction season for our Americas Materials Division has yet to
get fully underway in many of our market areas, activity levels to date have
exceeded expectations. The indications from early awards of highway sector
paving contracts suggest good progress in our efforts to improve product prices
and recover higher input costs, while backlogs are solid. Negotiations on the
renewal of TEA-21, the US Federal highway programme which will underpin demand
in future years, are progressing with finalisation anticipated in the coming
months.

In the Americas Products & Distribution Division, our Precast, Architectural
Products and Glass Groups in North America have all had a positive start to the
year against a backdrop of sustained strong residential activity and ongoing
improvement in non-residential demand. The Distribution Group has performed
particularly strongly through the quieter early months and continues to build on
the significant progress of recent years. Despite higher input costs our South
American operations are performing ahead of expectations.


To date in 2005, CRH has completed acquisitions totalling approximately euro 100
million, comprising 15 deals. Although a lower pace of spend than in recent
years we see significant opportunities for acquisitions across our operations
and remain committed to completing transactions at prices that will contribute
to long-term value creation for our shareholders.

Energy markets remain volatile and higher input costs are generally a feature
across our operations. However, we are encouraged by results to date in
achieving cost recovery and look to further gains in this regard in the busier
months ahead.

While as always there are uncertainties in economies and markets, overall 2005
has started well and with our sustained focus on cost effectiveness and
operational performance we look to continuing progress as we move into the more
profitable second half of the year.

This updating statement contains certain forward-looking statements as defined
under US legislation. By their nature, such statements involve uncertainty; as a
consequence, actual results and developments may differ from those expressed in
or implied by such statements depending on a variety of factors including the
specific factors identified in this trading update and other factors discussed
in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC.

CRH plc, Belgard Castle, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Ireland

TELEPHONE [phone] FAX [phone]

E-MAIL [e-mail] WEBSITE www.crh.com

Registered Office, 42 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, Ireland


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