Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
86. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the types of projects that will be deemed as “critical” under his new accelerating infrastructure action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70227/25]
View answerThe Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan commits to developing and publishing new legislation in quarter 1 of 2026 that will create a legal obligation for State bodies to recognise and accelerate key projects through planning, licensing, and other consenting stages in the infrastructure development cycle.
This Critical Infrastructure Bill will also explore options during drafting for incorporating statutory timelines, positive presumptions, and other measures that might reduce procedural delays. The legislation will be accompanied by governance arrangements to maintain and communicate a critical infrastructure projects list and track delivery outcomes.
Work on the general scheme of the Critical Infrastructure Bill will commence immediately. As committed to in the report, in parallel with the legislation, an administrative system that allows the Government to designate the works that are considered to constitute critical infrastructure will be developed. Through both of these strands of work, it is envisaged that Government will have the power to designate critical infrastructure.
These measures will ensure that critical projects are delivered at pace while maintaining transparency, accountability, and compliance with environmental and planning standards.
