Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
58. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the position regarding the progression of the commitments within the Accelerating Infrastructure-Report and Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40075/26]
View answerAs Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitisation I am responsible for setting the overall capital allocations across Departments and for monitoring monthly expenditure at Departmental level.
The Programme for Government set out the clear prioritisation for the NDP Review to ensure that investment can be maximised in the coming five years for strategic infrastructure. This includes the key energy, water and transport networks on which all future development relies. These sectors were further defined as critical infrastructure in the Accelerating Infrastructure Actions Report and Action Plan published last December.
The Plan sets out 30 targeted actions grouped under four pillars, each addressing a key area of reform, with legal reform noted as a core element for accelerating critical infrastructure projects across the country. This work among other measures will, include increasing exemption thresholds for critical infrastructure, reform processes with agencies and regulators, advocating for a new approach to legislation at EU level and creating a duty for state bodies to co-operate in making land available and accessible for critical infrastructure.
The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure is updated regularly on progress of Plan delivery.
At the end of Quarter 1 2026, strong progress was recorded across the 30 actions with many legislative, regulatory and process changes delivered. All commitments for Q1 2026 have been completed and remaining commitments are currently on track. There is a strong delivery rate with so many Government actors working together and all stakeholders delivering on commitments made.
In Legislative reform, the Critical Infrastructure Bill has now been approved by Government. The Bill has completed the Dáil component of the legislative process and is in now in the Seanad.
On Regulatory reform, revisions of certain existing licences through the Environmental Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2026 were signed into law on March 12th. These changes are giving quicker decisions to licence-holders and more certainty on timelines.
On project delivery, changes that have been made have seen a potential saving on average of 26 weeks on projects such as the Waterford Wastewater Treatment Plant which is now at detailed design stage.
The department continues to progress with planned actions for Quarter 2 and beyond, and we remain committed to the delivery of the Plan. The Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce continues to meet monthly and supports the delivery of the Plan.
