AGM Updating Statement

CRH PLC
3 May 2000

CRH CHAIRMAN'S AGM UPDATING STATEMENT

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING  - 3rd May, 2000

Good weather and continued strong economic and construction activity have 
underpinned demand for our products in Ireland, with year-to-date volumes  
ahead of a strong 1999.

In Britain, the Ibstock clay brick business and our concrete products
operations have begun the year well against a background of fairly lacklustre
construction and economic activity.   

Our Mainland Europe operations have experienced a generally good start to the 
year with favourable weather and economic conditions in most of our markets,  
although the Benelux clay and concrete products operations continue to be 
affected by over-capacity in the market.  Year to date demand in the materials
markets in Spain,  Finland and Poland has been strong.

In North America,  volumes to date this year in our materials businesses
reflect the positive impact of TEA-21, although bitumen costs are
significantly higher than last year and remain a concern.    The Products &
Distribution operations continue to perform strongly and order books are well
ahead of 1999. 

The Group's active acquisition programme got off to a good start this year
with the $350 million acquisition of The Shelly Company at the end of
February.  We continue to generate interesting opportunities in all product
groups and operating regions.

Overall the year has started well and we remain confident that 2000 will be 
another year of progress for CRH. 

           
CRH plc, Belgard Castle, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Ireland Tel:  [phone]  
Registered Office, 42 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2, Ireland