Accelerating Infrastructure

The launch of the much-anticipated Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce Report must mark a turning point in Ireland’s infrastructure story.

For too long, critical projects have been delayed by systemic bottlenecks, legal complexity, planning uncertainty, fragmented delivery, and limited public buy-in.

This report provides a clear set of actions for change, setting out recommendations under four pillars: legal reform, planning and regulatory reform, coordination and delivery reform, and public acceptance.

At the heart of this agenda is the proposed Critical Infrastructure Bill, a keystone measure that will allow certain projects to be formally designated as Critical Infrastructure.

This designation ensures that projects of national importance receive accelerated treatment, with clear expectations for planning authorities, standardised processes, and streamlined approvals.

It also places greater emphasis on monitoring progress and taking early action when challenges arise.

The benefits of accelerating infrastructure delivery are vast and far-reaching.

Removing unnecessary obstacles and streamlining processes will enhance productivity, foster economic growth, create jobs, reduce costs, and ultimately deliver better services and improved quality of life for the public.

But ambition alone is not enough. We need bold, decisive action to implement these recommendations and deliver lasting change in line with the National Development Plan.

The question now is: how do we turn this into reality?

Legal reform: Certainty as the foundation
for progress

Legal constraints remain one of the most significant barriers to timely infrastructure delivery. Judicial reviews, while essential for safeguarding rights, have become a source of prolonged uncertainty. The proposed Critical Infrastructure Bill aims to address this by enabling accelerated treatment for projects of national importance.

For the public sector, this reform offers clarity and confidence in decision-making, reducing the risk of protracted litigation and ensuring compliance frameworks remain robust. For the private sector, it signals a more predictable investment environment—critical for attracting capital and driving innovation.

Streamlining judicial reviews and introducing emergency powers legislation will not dilute standards; rather, it will create a system where legal processes are proportionate to the scale and significance of the project. This is a global best practice seen in jurisdictions where infrastructure acceleration is tied to transparent governance and strong accountability.

Legal clarity is critical for investor confidence. Streamlined judicial reviews and proportionate processes will create a more predictable environment for private sector investment.

James Delahunt

Partner, Corporate Finance, Head of Energy & Natural Resources

KPMG in Ireland

Planning & regulatory reform: From complexity to clarity

Ireland’s planning system has become increasingly litigious and complex. The taskforce’s recommendations to simplify overlapping provisions, enabling parallel consenting, and embedding proportionality, represent a decisive shift toward efficiency without compromising environmental integrity.

For planning authorities, clear national planning statements will reduce ambiguity and foster consistency. For developers and investors, this means faster approvals and reduced procedural risk.

Embedding proportionality is key; requirements should match the impact of the project. This approach allows practitioners to focus on outcomes rather than paperwork, accelerating delivery while maintaining sustainability standards.

Global experience shows that planning reform succeeds when paired with capacity building training, best-practice guidance, and digital tools. Ireland’s commitment to these measures will be critical in ensuring reforms translate into real-world impact.

Planning reform is about creating a system that is agile yet robust. Proportionality ensures we maintain environmental integrity while removing unnecessary complexity.

Stephen Purcell

Director

KPMG in Ireland

Regulatory frameworks must evolve to provide greater certainty for public bodies with responsibility for delivery of significant infrastructure programs.

This should include unimpeded access to the funding required to deliver Ireland’s infrastructure ambition on a multi annual basis whilst ensuring the cost recovery mechanisms are output based and represent value for money for our citizens and infrastructure users.

Coordination & delivery reform: Building confidence through capability

The National Development Plan provides the blueprint, but delivery depends on confidence and capacity. Delivering on the National Development Plan depends on confidence and capacity.

The report’s focus on risk appetite statements, centralised NDFA support, and a Joint Utilities and Transport clearing house is encouraging. These measures will reduce fragmentation and promote collaboration across sectors.

Technology adoption, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), AI-driven project management, and digital twins, must be accelerated to boost productivity and resilience. Procurement reform, including updates to the CWMF and improved developer maturity, will help unlock value and foster stronger partnerships with the supply chain.

For the private sector, these changes mean clearer risk frameworks and opportunities to innovate. For the public sector, they ensure accountability and alignment with long-term policy objectives.

Delivery reform is not just about speed; it’s about capability. Risk appetite statements and technology adoption will give Ireland the confidence to deliver at scale.

Matthew King

Managing Director, Co-Head of Infrastructure

KPMG in Ireland

Public acceptance: Securing the social license to operate

Infrastructure is not just about assets. It’s about people. Public trust and political support are essential for success. The report rightly emphasises benefits of realisation frameworks to communicate the social value of infrastructure, how projects improve lives, create jobs, and support sustainability.

For leaders, this means moving beyond technical narratives to articulate a compelling vision for Ireland’s future. Public acceptance is of critical importance and a strategic enabler of delivery.

The taskforce report provides a good balance between deeper planning reforms and legislation with other practical, quick wins that can be implemented almost immediately. This balance is really important to build momentum and support.

Infrastructure succeeds when people understand and believe in its value. Communicating benefits clearly and consistently is essential to secure public trust and political support. This is rightly called out as an area where we need to do more to improve messaging and build public consensus.

Paul O'Neill

Co-Head of Infrastructure

KPMG in Ireland

Turning roadmap into reality:
A shared responsibility

The establishment of the taskforce is a positive step, but success depends on action and accountability. Coordination within the Department of Public Expenditure and retention of the taskforce will be critical to provide whole-of-government oversight of infrastructure delivery. Ireland cannot afford inertia, now is the time to deliver.

At KPMG Ireland, we believe these reforms represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how infrastructure is planned, funded, and delivered.

For public sector leaders, this is about governance and trust. For private sector stakeholders, it is about confidence and competitive advantage. For both, it is about shaping a resilient, sustainable future.

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