Continued momentum critical to success of Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce recommendations

Cork Chamber, the voice of business in Cork, has welcomed Cabinet’s approval of the proposals made by the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce to speed up the delivery of critical infrastructure projects across the state.

Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO, commented, “The publication of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce’s report today represents an important and welcome milestone towards more efficient infrastructure delivery. Key projects across housing, energy and transport continue to be impacted by delays to their delivery, with significant adverse consequences for regional growth, community development and Ireland’s overall economic competitiveness.

“Streamlining regulatory processes, fast-tracking decision-making and prioritising critical infrastructure development will be important steps towards a more efficient system of delivery, one which will provide the certainty businesses and communities need. It is vital that the 30 recommended actions contained in today’s report are implemented swiftly and in full, and to the agreed timelines, to facilitate much-needed infrastructure delivery, on time and on budget.”

Cork Chamber President Rob Horgan said, “Government has already committed to the delivery of a number of crucial infrastructural projects in the Cork region. Luas Cork and the Cork Northern Distributor Road are prime examples of projects that stand to benefit from the proposed reforms introduced today. The development of the city’s light rail system and Northern Distributor Road could provide test cases for the Taskforce’s reforms, demonstrating how delivery can be effectively accelerated to support economic and population growth.

“Today’s announcement offers an important opportunity to introduce a step change in how this country delivers its infrastructure, particularly projects of national strategic importance. Rapid implementation of the recommendations outlined today will be critical to realising this vision.”

Mr Healy added, “Cork Chamber has been actively engaging with the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce throughout the development of the recommendations announced today. We will continue to engage with government at all levels to ensure accountability for the timely delivery of key projects for the Cork region.”