The Government has unveiled a wide-ranging set of reforms aimed at accelerating major housing and infrastructure projects, citing the need to rebalance the system between individual legal rights and the wider public interest.
The new measures are outlined in the Accelerating Infrastructure report and action plan, which sets out 30 steps designed to reduce delays and streamline delivery. These include changes to the judicial review process, higher exemption thresholds for critical infrastructure, and the creation of a regulatory simplification unit to review and rationalise regulatory requirements.
A legislative framework is also planned that would allow certain projects to be designated as critical infrastructure with Dáil approval, enabling the State to use temporary emergency powers where necessary to speed up progress.
Addressing Delays in Key National Projects
Government representatives said the reforms are intended to address a long-standing imbalance between the right to challenge decisions in court and the need to deliver essential public infrastructure. The announcement comes as major schemes such as the Greater Dublin Drainage project and Dublin’s MetroLink face significant delays due to ongoing legal challenges.
Speaking about the reforms, the Taoiseach acknowledged that further legal challenges are expected but stressed that the State has both the funding and the ambition to fast-track vital projects. He emphasised that the planning system should be the primary forum for resolving disputes, not the courts, and noted that new legislation to cap legal costs in judicial review cases has already been approved by Cabinet.
The Taoiseach also highlighted the importance of transparency and the need to address blockages within public bodies, particularly when it comes to delivering new housing. He said that a dedicated infrastructure division within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) is helping identify and resolve issues more quickly.
Energy Security and Climate Commitments
Referencing the recent visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Taoiseach stressed the importance of energy independence for Ireland. He described offshore wind farms as firmly in the national interest and noted that shifting reliance from imported fossil fuels to domestic renewable energy is essential both for climate action and long-term energy security.
He also referred to the need for liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure as a matter of national security, adding that Ireland remains vulnerable to disruptions in energy supply.
Balancing Rights and the Public Good
The Tánaiste echoed concerns about delays, stating that a small number of repeat objectors are holding up strategically important projects. While reaffirming the public’s right to access the courts, he warned that prolonged legal challenges can significantly impact the delivery of essential services, including housing, wastewater treatment and public transport.
He added that the current system has become too slow, hindered by regulatory complexity and planning bottlenecks. The new acceleration plan aims to reduce timelines by months or even years, helping to bring projects forward more quickly for communities across the country.
Cultural and Structural Barriers to Progress
Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure Jack Chambers said delays have become excessive in many cases, with some projects stuck in long cycles of planning and review. He noted that an overly cautious approach within parts of the public service is contributing to these delays and that the planned reforms are designed to prioritise delivery while maintaining appropriate safeguards.
He added that all the measures combined have the potential to shave years off the delivery timeline for major projects. In some circumstances, he said, emergency powers may be required to ensure that critical infrastructure – particularly in water, wastewater and energy – can proceed without being hindered by outdated or restrictive processes.
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