In advance of the Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness, Ibec launched its ‘Our Business Ambition’ Campaign. The first policy position paper of the series is an infrastructure-focused piece. Within this, the group told the Government that infrastructure investment should take precedence over tax cuts or other types of expenditure. It called on the Government to reduce red tape in the planning system for large “common good” projects. To support large-scale infrastructure delivery, Ibec urged planning system reform, including curbing the “disproportionate influence” of individual objectors. It also called for faster project delivery through centralised oversight and a restructured planning process. Of 44 major projects planned in 2019, only 11 were delivered on time.
Moreover, the paper recommends the establishment of an Expert Review Group to determine the correct avenue to rebalancing individual rights and the public good within Ireland’s legal administrative systems in the context of infrastructure delivery. Further, Ibec proposes the development of a new central statutory body to progress large-scale infrastructure projects through the planning system. This would address the lack of coordination and fragmentation within the planning process, according to the group.
The paper highlights the critical role of the private sector in delivering infrastructure, especially in the energy, health, and transport sectors. Ibec suggests establishing a permanent forum for private infrastructure investors to enhance project viability and attract future investments.
Additionally, the paper examines the Minister’s role in the efficient delivery of infrastructure projects. It recommends strategic infrastructure projects to be prioritised within the planning system with timely Ministerial directives issued to expedite essential supporting projects
This comes as the Cabinet Subcommittee on Infrastructure begins examining the delivery times for major infrastructure projects, which have only worsened in recent years. Despite the significant step forward made by Minister Jack Chambers with the establishment of a new infrastructure division and task force within the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, and Reform, there remains a considerable gap between current efforts and the scale of what is needed. The task force is expected to publish a report on the barriers to infrastructure development in July.
