Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2026
36. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the timeline for the introduction of the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26148/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra43. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the measures that will be implemented to ensure that local bodies alongside Government agencies follow the measure under the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26149/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra56. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 will align with the Government’s targets to cut polluting gases emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27568/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra59. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the way in which is it envisaged that the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 will interact with the current National Development Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26708/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra67. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation when the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 and accompanying explanatory memorandum will be presented; and when is it proposed for the Bill to be taken at second stage in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26706/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra73. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department took into account Ireland’s obligations under the European Climate Law and Paris Agreement when drafting the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27627/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 43, 56, 59, 67 and 73 together.
The Critical Infrastructure Bill is a central pillar of the Government’s broader infrastructure acceleration agenda. The need for a Bill to fast track a limited number of strategically important projects through approval processes was identified in the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action published last December.
This Bill has been drafted and introduced on a priority basis to respond to this need. It's primary aim is to allow Government to designate certain projects or programmes as critical. This then requires all public bodies who may have an authorisation function for these projects or programmes to prioritise consideration of them within their approval processes.
In practical terms, this means that relevant bodies will be required to prioritise, avoid delay, reduce timelines, parallel processes and cooperate with each other to fast-track designated infrastructure but other than modifying the application of section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, the legislation does not change any existing statutory processes or rights.
The Bill and associated Explanatory Memorandum were published on 8 April 2026. Second Stage will be taken in the Dáil on 14 April 2026. It is my intention to bring the Bill through both Houses before the summer recess.
The National Development Plan (NDP) Review in 2025 sets out planned total public investment of €275.4 billion over the next decade. This is the largest ever capital investment plan in the history of the State. In particular, the NDP aims at transformational investment in water, energy and transport infrastructure to enable the delivery of 300,000 additional homes by 2030. Section 3 of the Critical Infrastructure Bill specifically notes that the NDP is one of the factors that I may have regard to in making a recommendation to Government on what projects and programmes should be designated as critical infrastructure.
Section 4 of the Critical Infrastructure Bill states that the requirements of the Bill will apply to all public bodies who perform functions in relation to a critical infrastructure project or programme. Put plainly, if any public body, local or national, has a role in the authorisation of critical infrastructure then they will be bound by this Bill.
Ireland will still be bound by climate and renewable energy targets set at both EU and national level, including the requirement to make the transition to a climate resilient, biodiversity rich, environmentally sustainable and climate neutral economy no later than 2050.
