Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 to 27, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on infrastructure last met on Monday, 28 April and is due to meet again on Thursday, 17 July. The committee oversees programme for Government commitments in relation to infrastructure delivery and its work reflects the importance this Government is placing on the issue. The delivery of growth enhancing infrastructure is a key enabler for our national competitiveness, fostering regional development, delivering on our housing commitments and meeting social needs. The new infrastructure division is now up and running in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. It is examining the means by which infrastructure development can be accelerated.

The division includes experts who have been deployed from EirGrid, ESB Networks, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Uisce Éireann and An Coimisiún Pleanála. These experts are working with officials in the Department to develop impactful policies that improve the speed and efficiency of critical infrastructure delivery. The new division is currently engaging with experts, consulting with stakeholders and the public and reviewing international best practice. Through this process, it is identifying the most critical barriers to delivery and will develop a set of high impact reform measures to address these barriers.

To oversee the work of the division, an accelerating infrastructure task force has also been established, chaired by the Minister, Deputy Chambers, and is comprised of independent experts along with representatives from commercial, semi-State bodies at the front line of infrastructure development. The Cabinet committee on infrastructure is also overseeing the review process for the national development plan, which will be completed in the coming weeks. The review will set our investment priorities for the next five years, ensuring focus on programmes which will enable economic and social development, with a particular focus on housing, energy, water, grid infrastructure and health digitalisation.

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