31/05/2005

Restatement of 2004 results under IFRS

CRH plc, the international building materials group, today announces the impact of the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on its 2004 results previously prepared in accordance with accounting practice generally accepted in the Republic of Ireland (Irish GAAP). The Group's financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2005 and for the year ended 31 December 2005 will be prepared under IFRS.

The impact on the audited 2004 key financial data is summarised as follows:

	Irish GAAP	IFRS	% Change	Comments on principal IFRS changes
	euro m	euro m
Turnover	12,820	12,755	-1%	Certain joint ventures reclassified as associates under IFRS - share of sales no longer reported
Operating profit (EBITA)*	1,247	1,220	-2%	Share of associates' EBITA excluded under IFRS
Profit before tax	1,017	1,104	+9%	Non-amortisation of goodwill
Profit after tax	770	872	+13%	Non-amortisation of goodwill
Total equity	5,300	4,979	-6%	Pension and deferred tax assets and liabilities included under IFRS
Net debt **	2,441	2,758	+13%	Inclusion of share of joint ventures' net debt
	euro cent	euro cent
Earnings per share	143.9	163.6	+14%	Non-amortisation of goodwill
Excluding Irish GAAP goodwill amortisation	163.1	163.6	-%

* Operating profit (EBITA) excludes goodwill amortisation and profit on sale of fixed assets. ** Net debt comprises current and non-current interest-bearing loans and borrowings less cash and cash equivalents and liquid investments.

This announcement, together with a slide presentation and accompanying audio commentary summarising the impact of the transition to IFRS for CRH, has been filed today on the Group's website at www.crh.com. If you have any questions on this announcement or on the presentation, please contact the following at Dublin 404 1000 (+353 1 404 1000)

Liam O’MahonyChief Executive
Myles LeeFinance Director
Maeve CartonGroup Controller

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