Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026: Committee and Remaining Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-16
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Jack Chambers (FF), Dublin West

In response to Senator Boyhan, I regret that I will be continuing that trend with regard to this amendment. I apologise for that. I thank Senator Murphy for the amendment, although I will not be accepting it.
I have been consistently clear that my central priority is to accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure and specifically infrastructure in the energy, transport and water sectors. I focus specifically on these areas because they form the foundation on which all other social and economic infrastructure depends. We will not be in a position to build the housing and health facilities referenced by the Senator in his suggested amendment without adequate energy, water and transport supplies.
By accelerating the delivery of this core network infrastructure we can drive a wider acceleration across all forms of deployment and development, including housing. However, the definition of infrastructure is already drafted in such a fashion that this legislation is not confined solely to the areas listed in section 1. This is deliberate and ensures the Government has the flexibility needed to respond to emerging and pressing priorities as they arise. The Government could, for example, designate the development of a healthcare facility as critical infrastructure if the need arose.
That flexibility provided for in the Bill is not unlimited. It operates within the clear definitions set out in the Bill and, in particular, infrastructure must be something that enables the essential facilities and systems of the State to function effectively. Furthermore, any project or programme designed under the Bill must be developed by or on behalf of the State. The legislation therefore applies to State infrastructure only and not private development. I am satisfied that the given flexibility is there in the context of the legislation as it is drafted. We have sought in all of our reform agenda to focus on the three areas of water, energy and transport because they are the underpinning infrastructure for everything that happens but it does not impede us from designating health infrastructure, for example, or something else that might emerge, within the wider definition of infrastructure.
The wider point was made around what will be the implications for a public body that does not comply. First of all, they have a duty to co-operate under the legislation. It is the law that they must. Second, we can issue a direction to the public body that it shall comply with the direction given under this section. So, there is a clear legislative direction and obligation on compliance with respect to public bodies that will be affected by this legislation. If it does not comply to a direction under the law that has significant implications for a public body. If we have a public body that does not operate under the law then there are implications for sanctioning funding and its wider operation. I do not think that will emerge because it is a very explicit direction under the legislation that is involved.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:03+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-16