Monday 28 July 2025

The CIF has welcomed the revised National Development Plan (NDP) monetary provisions announced recently, but calls for clarity on project delivery timeframes and how they will be supported by multiannual funding.

Hubert Fitzpatrick, director general of the CIF, said: “We welcome the commitment to monetary provisions outlined in the revised National Development Plan today, but are disappointed that specific projects and target delivery timeframes have not yet been named and detailed.

"Delivery will depend on streamlining the entire planning and procurement processes, multiannual funding, minimising unnecessary regulatory barriers and approval processes, and risks of lengthy and prolonged judicial reviews.

“The federation fully supports the Infrastructure Taskforce established by Minister Chambers, and looks forward to its recommendations as to how delivery timeframes for critical projects can be streamlined to eliminate blockages to procurement.

'Maintain our competitiveness'

“Implementation of recommendations of the taskforce and legislative change, where necessary, will be critical to support delivery of the ambitious programme of infrastructure, which Ireland so badly needs. According to the World Competitiveness Centre, Ireland currently ranks 44^th out of 69 countries under Basic Infrastructure. This must be reversed if we are to support a growing economy, maintain our competitiveness, and deliver the necessary housing and services.

“The federation stresses that prioritising multiannual investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, certainty of electricity supply, a plan-led approach to delivery of regional infrastructure, and an appropriate procurement process are all critical for infrastructure and housing delivery.

“The construction industry has the workforce capacity to deliver on the country’s infrastructural requirements, but needs certainty of a pipeline of shovel-ready projects to enable the industry to plan for the growth in infrastructural delivery required. Clear and committed timelines for roll out of projects are essential.”