'Ireland needs radical action to end its infrastructure crisis'
The Government must accept that there is a 'national crisis in Irish infrastructure', according to a member of a taskforce charged with improving Ireland's project delivery.
ESRI chairman Sean O'Driscoll warned of 'catastrophic consequences' facing Ireland's water, energy, and transport networks if 'radical and brave decisions are not taken to ensure projects get completed quicker'.
He claimed public servants are more 'scared' of the public accounts committee than of the economy declining. He said:
That has resulted in paralysis and risk aversion in the system. The bold decisions that are required aren't being taken, they're being avoided and they have been for 10 years.
Mr O'Driscoll was one of 12 people appointed in May to an 'accelerating infrastructure' taskforce, chaired by public expenditure minister Jack Chambers.
CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB
In an interview with the Irish Examiner, he calls for 'urgent, impactful, radical and immediate actions' including:
Addressing judicial reviews and planning delays. He said the bar for judicial reviews is 'far too low' and the Government must go further than its newly-published Planning Act to tackle crises in energy and water;
Extend Part 8 planning permissions enjoyed by local councils, which allows them to develop on land independently of An Bord Pleanála to ensure critical infrastructure projects get built;
Tell the EU that Ireland has an 'infrastructure emergency' to overcome regulation red tape;
Secure multi-year funding for utilities and major projects and urge co-operation between local authorities and utility providers.
The infrastructure taskforce was launched in May and is in the middle of a public consultation. It is expected to issue up to 50 recommendations to the Government within months to help speed up delivery.
Uisce Éireann chief executive Niall Gleeson warned last month that Dublin is facing serious water supply and wastewater capacity challenges. The stark warning, coupled with fears of power outages in recent years, are evidence of the potentially 'catastrophic' effect of failing to get Ireland's infrastructure improved, Mr O'Driscoll warned.
He pointed to a gas pipeline connecting Cork and Dublin being built more than 40 years ago, compared with the time taken to get a planned 170km pipeline to bring water from the River Shannon to Dublin approved, as an example of the need to overhaul decision-making in the sector.
Dublin will have a water crisis within five years for the houses it has planned. Are we saying we can't build a water system for the capital city of the country today? We need radical thinking.
'Why wouldn't you [extend Part 8 planning laws] for large infrastructure projects of national significance? Extend that to private land. If the Shannon water project isn't an emergency, I don't know what is.'
'Infrastructure paralysis'
He said public expenditure minister Jack Chambers recently said infrastructure delivery is in 'paralysis'.
'In medical terms, that means an emergency.
"The art of politics is compromise. Politicians like to avoid taking tough decisions. But if we're going to crack infrastructure, hard decisions are going to have to be taken, and this will have to be treated as a national emergency. We admit it is one and then we treat it as such.'
On whether the EU could frustrate Irish attempts to overhaul planning, the former Glen Dimplex chairman pointed to Germany's attempts to substitute LNG imports and other infrastructure to reduce its dependence on Russian-imported gas as an example of EU hurdles being overcome in emergency times. He said:
There is no point hiding behind Europe. I hear people saying 'there's an EU directive' and 'we can't do this'... I don't buy that anymore.
"We all have an onus to say not all regulation is good and we need to say 'we have an emergency' to Brussels.'
Asked about Ireland's climate change targets, he insisted that development should be compatible with those targets, pointing to vast improvements required in the building of renewable energy projects.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin should become centrally involved in the task force's work, Mr O'Driscoll added, as former Taoiseach Enda Kenny had in the successful 2012 action plan for jobs, after the financial crash.
He said the warning signs are there, and that the utilitiies are all talking about it:
'The government of the day don't want to hear public bodies saying this, but they need to hear it. When the lights go out, or the water isn't available, they'll say: 'Why didn't anyone shout about this?''
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
Golf events and fireside chats — Sinn Féin's Canadian fundraising arm sees more donations ‘for the Irish peace process'
Sinn Féin's Canadian fundraising arm has had an increase in donations for support of the 'Irish peace process', accounts filed in Canada show.
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Why are so few candidates dipping their toe in the water in the race for the Áras?
IT'S JUST A few months out from the presidential election, yet the public is none the wiser about who is interested in the top job, despite months of speculation about the runners and riders. The political parties have been very much in assessment mode trying to figure out who they might put forward, but the government parties do not appear to be in a rush to get the campaign going. Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin confirmed this week that his party is still taking 'soundings' from people who might be interested in running. Yesterday, Martin said he was not aware of any engagement with former SDLP leader Colum Eastwood over becoming the party's candidate for the Irish presidency, despite Eastwood stating that he may be interested. MEP Barry Andrews has ruled himself out of running for the party, with some chatter that his colleague MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú might be interested. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has long been talked about, but while some diehard fans of his within the party would only love to see him make a comeback, it is understood in party HQ, dredging up the past is not being viewed as a good move. In case you're wondering, Martin has also ruled himself out . Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris confirmed this week that presidential candidate nominations for the party will open in early July and will close in mid July. If there is more than one candidate, then a ballot will be held during the summer and the winner announced probably in September. Former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness has not ruled herself out, with some party sources stating she is 'everywhere', which speaks to her drumming up support. However, others state that MEP Sean Kelly is also keen to throw his hat in the ring, even if it is only to spark hustings within the party. Harris told The Journal in March that he thinks competition for the candidacy would be 'healthy' for the party. So other than the two main government parties, who else is in the mix? While there had been talk that the united opposition would come together to nominate a candidate, they haven't been able to get their act together. Names such as Senator Frances Black and TD Catherine Connolly have been mentioned as possibilities. Advertisement However, Black told Newstalk recently that while she was initially approached about being a possible candidate, the senator said she has heard nothing since. Whether that was a message for the Left to pick up the phone and get a move on, it remains to be seen, as Black stated she is over 98% certain she isn't running . Connolly is understood to be a favourite among many Left-leaning parties, but some sources state the Labour Party have some issues with the nomination. One person who might fit the brief is MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan who has confirmed that running is something he might consider. Flanagan said that he believes he has a chance of winning the election, with his appeal across a number of different constituencies as a three-time independent MEP for Midlands North West. And what about Sinn Féin? Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill has not ruled out a run for the upcoming presidential election. When asked yesterday if she was considering putting her name forward, O'Neill said Sinn Féin is working its way through deliberations on putting forward a candidate. Not a no then. MEP Lynn Boylan also stated on RTÉ Radio yesterday that she wasn't going for the job. Party president Mary Lou McDonald has also ruled herself out . Who else might be runners in the race? Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has said his party intends to run a candidate in the presidential election, though name has been forthcoming. Businessman Peter Casey has declared he wants to run again. He got 23% of the vote in the presidential election in 2018 but he didn't fare too great in the European Elections where he got 3% of the vote in the Midlands-North-West constituency. Other names that have been mentioned include Irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole, who said he would not rule out a bid but that he would not do it alone. Former TD and co-founder of the Social Democrats Róisín Shortall topped a newspaper poll before Christmas as the favourite to be Ireland's next President at 32%. Related Reads 134 members of the Oireachtas say they will not nominate McGregor for the presidency Mairead McGuinness has 'made no decision' on presidential bid after Micheal O'Leary's endorsement Senator Frances Black 'open to the conversation' of running for president Shortall told the Mail on Sunday at the time that she 'hasn't decided' what her next move will be, so watch this space. There remains speculation about a few RTÉ stars who might run, such as Liveline's Joe Duffy, who is due to exit from his role with the broadcaster at the end of this month, which could be timely. Presenter Miriam O'Callaghan, who was talked about as a possible runner back in 2018, is also still in the mix, with some pointing to her new memoir that has recently been released. Comedian/actor and RTÉ presenter Tommy Tiernan was also quizzed in a recent interview with RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor, where he didn't categorically rule out the prospect. Of course, there's also MMA fighter Conor McGregor, who hasn't been shy about his ambitions to be the next president. The chances for his candidacy are slim though as candidates need the backing of 20 members of the Oireachtas or four councils to get on the ballot paper. This gives political parties a major advantage, given the numbers. While we generally have a better idea during the summer of who the candidates, things are moving at a slower pace this time around. It's understood that given the previous bloodbath presidential election campaigns, the main political parties are wary of a long campaign and what it might unearth about any potential candidates. A short, snappy campaign is being favoured. Michael D. Higgins, the current president was inaugurated for his second term on 11 November 2018, meaning the next presidential election is scheduled to take place on or up to 60 days before 11 November 2025. But at this rate, it could be late-August or early September before we finally see how the ballot paper might shape up. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
2 hours ago
- The Journal
Tánaiste confirms US threat to Lebanon peacekeepers and will liaise with EU states to save mission
AS THE US considers vetoing a renewal vote for the Lebanon peacekeeping mission, the Government has confirmed it is liaising with European countries to save the operation. As revealed on Thursday by The Journal there are just ten weeks ahead of a crucial vote in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – it appears that the US is considering ending its support for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). We discovered that US real estate mogul Tom Barrack, a close confidante of Donald Trump, was in Lebanon as fears are mounting that the US will pull the plug on funding for UNIFIL. Multiple sources, both here and in Europe, believe that this would have one of two possible outcomes – either a reduction in budget and troop numbers or a complete shutdown of the mission. One other possibility, according to a source, is that the Lebanese Government could invite certain countries to stay on should the mission end. The UNIFIL mandate ends on 31 August – this news website discovered that French diplomats were set to lead negotiations on trying to save the mission. Tonight that has been confirmed officially by a statement from the Tánaiste Simon Harris' office. The Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs said he is beginning to liaise with EU counterparts to try and find a solution. 'The Tanaiste Simon Harris has tonight began to reach out to other European countries to ensure the renewal of the UNIFIL mandate in Southern Lebanon. 'He will travel to Brussels tomorrow where a high level meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers is scheduled , amid deepening concerns in EU capitals. Advertisement 'It comes amid the escalation of violence between Israel and Iran with Simon Harris due to travel to Brussels on Monday to discussing the war with other European counterparts,' he said. UNIFIL began in 1978 to maintain peace and security on the border between Lebanon and Israel after a period of increased tension between the two countries. More than 300 Irish troops are part of a massive international presence of 10,500 troops from 50 countries to monitor both sides of the border. They patrol a fragile demarcation zone in South Lebanon along what is known as the Blue Line. Simon Harris visiting Irish troops in March. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The statement added that he has received a briefing today from the Irish Defence Forces as tensions mount across the Middle East region. 'He will continue to discuss options in relation to the future of the mission with Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy. 'The Tanaiste will impress on his foreign counterparts on the absolute need for the mission to continue, in order to ensure stability and peace in the Region. 'Ireland has an unbroken record with UNIFIL for many decades and has over 340 troops deployed at Camp Shamrock. 'The French are due to lead the negotiations to extend the mandate with a decision expected to be made in August,' the statement added. Separately, the Tanaiste and has been briefed by the Chief of Staff on a number of incidents that took place in Southern Lebanon in recent days . All Irish Troops are accounted for and well. It is understood shelling in south Lebanon caused soldiers to take to bunkers, known as groundhog, in the last 24 hours. There was a dramatic interception in the sky above the Irish camp in recent days as Israel knocked down a suspicious drone. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
