The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has welcomed the Government’s revised €112 billion National Development Plan (NDP) but warned that successful delivery will depend on greater clarity around project timelines, multiannual funding, and significant planning and procurement reforms.

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.” He warned that delivery would 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 CIF said it “fully supports the Infrastructure Taskforce established by Minister Chambers” and is awaiting its recommendations on how to streamline delivery timeframes and eliminate procurement blockages. Fitzpatrick added: “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.” He highlighted that, according to the World Competitiveness Centre, “Ireland currently ranks 44th 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.”

He also stressed 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.” Fitzpatrick concluded: “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.”

Largest Infrastructure Investment in State’s History

The Government has described the €112 billion NDP as the “largest investment in economic and social infrastructure in the history of the State.”

Covering the period from 2026 to 2030, the revised plan allocates funding across housing, energy, water, and transport sectors, with €30 billion of the total representing “new funding” sourced from Apple tax receipts and proceeds from the sale of AIB shares.

Speaking at Government Buildings, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the plan reflects the Government’s “determination that Ireland will meet and overcome the challenges we face,” noting that “housing remains our most critical priority.”

He said the Government is “determined to keep working to remove barriers standing in the way of building the homes our people need,” while creating a clear investment landscape for private sector participation in housing delivery.

Headline allocations include €36 billion for housing (excluding water infrastructure), €24 billion for transport—including €2 billion for Dublin’s MetroLink—and €3.5 billion for grid upgrades via ESB Networks and Eirgrid. Uisce Éireann will receive €4.5 billion between 2025 and 2030 for large-scale water projects and services to enable 300,000 additional homes.

Tánaiste Simon Harris described the NDP as “unprecedented in scale and scope,” but stressed that “delivery must match the money allocated.” He called for urgent reforms, stating that it was time to “cut red tape” and “remove self-imposed barriers” to project delivery. Harris added: “Today is really a significant moment in this Government’s overall response to the uncertain world we inhabit.”

Focus Must Shift to Delivery

John Robinson, Director and Infrastructure Lead at Turner & Townsend in Ireland, said: “We welcome today’s announcement which will inject up to €112 billion into Ireland’s infrastructure between 2026 and 2030. Furthermore, the promise of €100 billion over the following five years is a much-needed boost to the transformative change Ireland requires over the long term.”

Robinson added: “The vision for Ireland, now backed with financial muscle, is clear. Transport, energy, utilities and housing are all a priority. This includes the development of MetroLink to aid connectivity, investment into the national grid for vital energy upgrades, improved water and wastewater services, and the delivery of new homes aligned to Ireland’s growing population.”

However, he warned that focus must now shift to delivery, stating: “Focus must now shift to ensuring the delivery of value by addressing systemic infrastructure delivery issues. This must include developing a clear and sustainable pipeline for spend grounded in objective analysis, addressing planning delays, building specialist capacity and capability, and resolving fragmented public sector delivery structures and accountabilities.”

Robinson confirmed that Turner & Townsend contributed to consultation work supporting the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce and said the industry “looks forward to seeing the associated action plan once published.”

Property Industry Ireland Director David Howard said: “Government’s increased ambition in relation to housing in the revision of the NDP is very positive. Water and electricity infrastructure, and public transport are essential for housing delivery. While the scale of the investment is welcome, focus must now turn to delivery and getting these projects commenced as soon as possible so that there is no delay to homes being built. The Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce report is therefore key to tackling many of the barriers to infrastructure and housing delivery, including in relation to delays caused by the Judicial Review process in planning matters.”

Industry and Government Aligned on Delivery Challenges

Both Government and industry leaders are aligned on the need to unlock capacity and reform delivery processes. As Harris noted, “Ireland’s competitiveness depends heavily on the investment given today to address infrastructural deficits.” While funding is now in place, clear project pipelines, planning reform, and legislative changes will be essential to turn investment commitments into delivery on the ground.

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