2026-07-07

14. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if his Department has outlined any projects under the Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 yet to be given priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51548/26]

The Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 provides a statutory basis for the acceleration of decision-making regarding projects and programmes that are designated as critical infrastructure. The Act requires that all reasonable steps be taken by public bodies, individually and collectively, to progress any functions that they may have in regard to these projects and programmes as quickly as possible. Section 1 of the Act specifically highlights transport, energy and water infrastructure in the definition of infrastructure. However, it does not limit the potential to include other infrastructure, should it be considered necessary. Section 3 of the Act sets out how projects or programmes will be designated as critical infrastructure. In summary, the Minister for public expenditure will make a recommendation to the Government in respect of the designation of an individual project or programme. The Government will consider the recommendation and, if approved, an order designating the project or programme as critical infrastructure will be laid before the Dáil. Provision is also made to allow the Dáil to annul any order laid before it. This section also sets out those factors that I as Minister may have regard to in making a recommendation to the Government. These are as follows: the need to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of a project or programme; whether delay to, or disruption of, the delivery of a project or programme or failure to deliver a project or programme would have adverse economic or social consequences for the State; whether a project or programme may impact in a positive or negative manner on the delivery of any specific programme; the national development plan; and other matters that the Minister may consider appropriate. When I bring an initial recommendation to the Government, my focus will be on a small number of critical projects or programmes in the energy, transport and water sectors, with a particular focus on those projects that will benefit the most from an immediate designation. That has yet to happen, but I expect it will in the coming weeks.

I thank the Minister for his response and clarity. Since he has come into his role, he has been very strong in pushing for the need to speed up infrastructure. Through successful economic handling of the State, we have money to spend, which is the most important thing. Of course, we have to spend it wisely and ensure we have infrastructure. I am Leas-Chathaoirleach of the infrastructure committee, which has MetroLink before it tomorrow, the exact type of project the Minister might have in mind. I do not want to pre-empt anything. At the same time, that is the key sort of project we need, along with a DART+ West. My colleague to my left would love to have the same facility in DART+ South West. The population of the State has grown quite rapidly and we need to build critical infrastructure. I look forward to areas being designated and accountability and transparency for projects.

I appreciate all of Deputy Neville's inputs on the wider reforms we have advanced. We expect to have an initial designation for a small number of projects and will then set out a process around how that will happen. The focus is on the projects that can benefit from an immediate designation and how they can be accelerated quickly. Some projects are on lists and going through particular processes, but are not necessarily ready for designation. That process is concluding for a small number of projects that will benefit. We are focused on driving delivery of anything that is designated. That work is being finalised in my Department and I will then have to bring a recommendation to the Government.

As I said, I am delighted that the Minister is considering pursuing this matter and that we will have decisions on some of these projects quickly. It is very important that critical infrastructure is developed. We know we must get it built. Projects like DART+ North West are coming in both our areas. We need to ensure they are developed as rapidly as possible. In bringing through a Bill like this, the real question is what it ultimately looks like in reality. The best way to see that is in how the examples stack up behind it. That is when we really will see the impact of the legislation. As a country, this is something with which we have struggled. In fairness, the UK is no different, as are other countries in the western world, in terms of struggling to build infrastructure. It is great to have legislation in place to help us to do that. As I said, the ultimate proof will be when these areas are designated and we see how they develop.

I absolutely agree. It is about the cumulative impact of all the reforms, including cutting out some of the process at the earlier stage, the external insurance process, which saved half a year, and some of the regulatory reforms we have introduced, with a 30% time saving under the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, for example, for marine licensing. The wider regulatory reforms ensure we have a better balance in terms of the legal system, including in respect of judicial reviews and the environmental legal fees caps. The 30 actions, cumulatively, will bring real delivery to our system and will make a real difference. The Act is a really important part of that in terms of driving delivery when projects can be designated. Again, we are working with the wider regulatory and delivery system to ensure it is prepared to drive progress across many of those projects. I am confident that for many of the projects, instead of a sense of endless delay, we will see real acceleration in the period ahead.