Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026: Second Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-20
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Conor Murphy (SF), Industrial and Commercial Panel

I thank the Minister for his presence. This is an important piece of legislation. Sinn Féin did not oppose the legislation in the Dail as we recognise that key infrastructure projects need to be delivered as quickly as possible. However, we have many reservations about it that we expressed and we continue to have them, including that the Government requested that pre-legislative scrutiny on this Bill be waived and that amendments we submitted on Committee Stage in the Dail were not supported at all by the Government. It is difficult to understand why the Government would not include housing, education or healthcare projects in the list of projects that enable essential facilities and systems of the State to function effectively. We intend to submit amendments on Committee Stage if and when this Bill reaches that Stage.
We have further concerns with the Bill as to how the Minister will designate what constitutes a piece of critical infrastructure and what does not. The Government does not have a great track record at delivering capital projects. We discussed this yesterday in the context of some OPW projects. There have been major delays and huge cost overruns on projects pertaining to water infrastructure, flood relief, healthcare delivery and transport projects. A glaring example of how not to do critical infrastructure delivery is the national children's hospital, currently over budget by a staggering €1.5 billion, delayed by four years and counting, and with 15 missed deadlines being reported to the public accounts committee. This project must be one of the worst examples of Government mismanagement on record. There are other startling facts and figures regarding capital delivery in the State. Uisce Éireann recently stated to the infrastructure committee that it will take until up to 2050 before gaps in water infrastructure currently blocking the building of homes will be filled. In a housing crisis that is a startling admission, yet Government does not want housing to be specifically referenced as critical infrastructure in this Bill.
On the issue of prioritisation, and the Minister has outlined the process that will be followed, but even if it comes back to it all, it is what the Government has decided and thinks should be prioritised. That raises obvious concerns given the nature of electoral politics. Who decides what is and what merits being called a critical project? That is something that needs to be teased out further as this progresses through its course in this House.
I understand the issue referred to by the Minister on section 15 of the climate Act and some of the impacts it has had on projects. It is a similar issue holding up the A5, which will connect through Tyrone and Donegal into the rest of the country. That matter is in the courts at the moment. There is a responsibility because there is a challenge delivering critical infrastructure to keep pace with development happening across the island. That is something we need collaboration on. We also need collaboration to find ways in other areas where the Government can do that to offset carbon increases that will emerge from some of these critical infrastructure projects. That is a clear requirement that needs to be brought forward.
Section 6 needs further explanation. On the face of it the Minister has the power to issue directions to any public body. That is specifically not the power to change or make a decision, but it can be a power to put pressure on the decision-making process. That might impact on a proper decision being reached. Given the nature of politics in this country, that is something that needs to be teased out further. We intend to come back on some of those. I would be grateful if, today or on the next Stage, the Minister would elaborate on some of those issues raised.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-20/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:58+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-20