Coalition's role on our site: more reacting to situations instead of influencing them

The Irish government is facing mounting pressure to deliver on key infrastructure projects, with concerns that the new Planning Act may not be enough to address the issue of lengthy approval processes for major developments.

In a bid to address this issue, the government has established the Special Infrastructure Committee, chaired by former Glen Dimplex chief executive Sean O'Driscoll, to examine the initiation of infrastructure projects. The committee's task is to ensure that Ireland can deliver on its promises and bring major projects like the Metrolink to fruition.

The government's public finances, which are the envy of most other EU countries, allow for investment in these projects. However, with negotiations on the budget for 2026 in a crucial phase, the public finances might not be as flush at the end of the government's term. This means that the government must make strategic decisions about where to allocate resources.

One such project that has faced delays is the Dublin Drainage facility planned by Uisce Eireann. The facility has been held up for seven years due to a legal challenge, but the Government's recent decision to give the project the go-ahead is now subject to a new legal challenge.

The public needs to be reassured about the delivery of these projects, as there is a lingering sense of a lack of drive and cohesion at the center of the administration. The government is entering a key period in its term, and if real progress is not made in areas like housing and infrastructure soon, there will be nothing to show for it by the end of the government's term.

The government is promising new strategies on housing, competitiveness, and public finances, but the dangers of relying on corporate tax receipts are all too clear. The government must balance the need for investment in infrastructure with the need to diversify the economy and reduce its reliance on corporate tax revenues.

More detail on the projects involved in the revised National Development Plan is expected in the coming weeks, and the government has a window of opportunity to invest and expedite delivery of projects. Failure to use this window of opportunity may result in a loss of the chance to make a defining step forward in a few years.

The government needs to show that it can get things done, not just lay out plans and intentions. If changes are not made, major projects such as the Metrolink may remain a pipe dream. The Irish people are eagerly awaiting real progress on these projects, and the government must deliver if it wants to maintain public support and make a lasting impact on the country.

Coalition's role on our site: more reacting to situations instead of influencing them