The Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) has welcomed the Government’s proposed Critical Infrastructure Bill, while warning that major delays to housing, transport, energy and public infrastructure projects will continue unless procurement and delivery systems are fundamentally reformed.

Speaking ahead of the Engineering Ireland’s Future conference at Croke Park, ACEI President Ciarán McGovern said the legislation represents a positive step towards accelerating the delivery of essential infrastructure projects, but stressed that wider systemic reform is urgently required.

The conference brought together engineering leaders, policymakers and international experts to examine how Ireland can accelerate infrastructure delivery, address housing shortages and strengthen climate resilience through improved planning and engineering collaboration.

 

ACEI Calls for Greater Collaboration on Infrastructure Delivery

ACEI said stronger collaboration is needed between Government bodies and the architecture, engineering and construction sectors if Ireland is to successfully deliver the €275 billion worth of planned investment in roads, schools, hospitals, water infrastructure, housing and the national energy grid by 2030.

Commenting on the issue, McGovern said:

“The Government’s commitment to the National Development Plan and the scale of planned investment require a fundamental reset in how public sector bodies collaborate and share risk with the construction and engineering sectors.

We have some of the world’s leading consultancies operating in Ireland, alongside strong domestic expertise. However, the current system has become adversarial and legalistic, which undermines better outcomes for the State.”

He added that the proposed Critical Infrastructure Bill could improve coordination and speed up decision-making across public authorities, helping to reduce delays and increase certainty for projects across the energy, transport and water sectors.

However, ACEI stressed that successful implementation will depend on adequate resourcing, efficient procurement systems and maintaining strong environmental and regulatory standards.

Government Commits to Accelerating Infrastructure Delivery

Jack Chambers addressed delegates at the conference and provided an update on progress under the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Report.

He said:

“The Government is committing historical investment, combined with unprecedented system reform, to deliver on the promises set out in the National Development Plan and Programme for Government.

As we look towards a new era, consulting engineers will be at the heart of infrastructure delivery in the State and I look forward to working with the industry to ensure we deliver for the people of Ireland.”

International Infrastructure Expert Highlights Need for Better Project Planning

International keynote speaker Bent Flyvbjerg, recognised globally for his expertise in megaproject delivery and infrastructure reform, also addressed the event, focusing on international best practice and lessons for improving project performance.

ACEI Director General Shane Dempsey said Ireland must place greater emphasis on investment in the early design phase of projects to avoid future delays and disputes.

He said:

“Infrastructure projects don’t go wrong — they start wrong. Whether it’s a mega-project like Metro or a home renovation, investing time and resources into proper planning and design is the key indicator of project success.

The Government must begin to view engineering design as an investment rather than a service, as it significantly reduces scope creep, disputes and costly delays on large-scale infrastructure projects.”

Engineering Ireland’s Future Conference Focuses on Housing, Infrastructure and Sustainability

The Engineering Ireland’s Future conference explored several critical issues impacting Ireland’s construction and infrastructure sectors, including:

• Housing delivery and infrastructure acceleration
• Engineering talent shortages
• Digital transformation and AI-driven solutions
• Sustainable infrastructure development
• Climate adaptation and resilience
• Ireland’s role in the global engineering economy

The event highlighted the growing importance of consulting engineers in shaping Ireland’s future infrastructure and ensuring major national projects can be delivered more efficiently and sustainably.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE