Strategic Infrastructure
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-16
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Jack Chambers (FF), Dublin West

The programme for Government set out the clear prioritisation for the NDP review to ensure that investment can be maximised in the coming five years for strategic infrastructure. This includes the key energy, water and transport networks on which all future development relies. This is critical to allow Government to meet the additional targets in terms of building more homes and also to support our competitiveness.
My Department’s Build Report 2025 identified cost volatility and capacity constraints as key risks to NDP delivery and the recent fuel price developments accentuate these risks. While construction inflation in Ireland moderated through 2024 and 2025, recent fuel price increases are reintroducing cost volatility and will impact in a number of ways, including on direct construction costs, materials manufacture and the wider supply chain.
Global fuel prices have increased sharply, driven primarily by geopolitical conflict in the Middle East and disruption to oil and gas supply chains, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz. International Energy Agency analysis indicates that this represents the most significant oil supply disruption in decades, with severe short-term volatility in crude and refined product prices. The OECD and IMF have both warned that sustained high prices will place upward pressure on inflation and weaken growth prospects across energy-importing economies, including Ireland. That is why, over the last number of weeks, we implemented a significant cut in excise duties, reducing the price per litre of both diesel and petrol. We have also extended the fuel allowance. That package was €250 million, and a new package of measures on fuel costs has been introduced in support of particular sectors. This is all about keeping supply chains moving, supporting jobs and making sure our economy continues to function.
In 2023, my Department introduced a suite of amendments to the public works contracts to address the risks. I will return to that when I come back in.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-16