Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
31. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will report on the progress being made under Pillar II of the Accelerating Infrastructure Plan [40321/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPillar two of the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan - Regulatory Reform and Simplification - outlines a suite of actions to streamline regulatory processes and structures and enable infrastructure providers to navigate the regulatory system more efficiently.
There has been significant progress made on the actions outlined under Pillar 2, with all quarter one actions completed. This includes a number of actions under the remit of my Department, namely:
• The commencement of Action 9 with the establishment of Infrastructure Regulatory Simplification Unit within my Department in February 2026. The Unit is responsible for examining the current regulatory landscape to identify bottlenecks, progress solutions and support the delivery of actions under Pillar 2 more broadly. To this end, the Unit has been engaging with relevant Government Departments and Regulatory bodies.
• Regarding Action 11, my Department published a new Circular on Principles for Better Regulation for Critical Infrastructure, in March. The Circular outlines eight principles for better regulation and regulatory process reforms that Public Sector Bodies must implement in their own regulatory processes, and as they deliver on their obligations under the Action Plan.
More broadly, progress has also been made by other Departments assigned actions under Pillar 2 of the Plan, including for example the implementation of an Early Warning System regarding forthcoming EU legislation by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
This actions taken together aim to simplify the regulatory landscape. Tangible impacts on regulatory timelines are already evident - for instance:
• A simplified EPA regulatory process for small domestic wastewater discharges was introduced, to facilitate the provision developer-led infrastructure for housing developments of up to 40 units. Previously these discharges would have required an individual Certificate of Authorisation, whereas now these discharges will be registered via a short, online administrative process, thus reducing processing timelines for these applications.
• MARA recently designated Local Authorities and Uisce Éireann as Fit and Proper Persons under Section 90 of the MAP Act, which will significantly reduce processing times for Maritime Area Consent applications from these bodies.
It is essential that our regulatory systems support the efficient use of investment and help accelerate the delivery of the infrastructure. To that end, work continues to progress to deliver the remaining Pillar 2 actions.
