Dublin Chamber has welcomed the publication of the Critical Infrastructure Bill by the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, describing it as a significant step toward addressing long-standing delays in the delivery of essential infrastructure. 

The Bill introduces a new fast-track approval process for projects designated as “critical infrastructure,” with a strong emphasis on coordination and prioritisation across the public sector. Under the proposed legislation, all public bodies will be required to actively support these projects, aligning resources to enable more timely delivery, while maintaining existing legal and regulatory safeguards. 

The responsibility for designating critical infrastructure projects will rest with the Government, following recommendations from the Minister, with each designation subject to approval by the Oireachtas. The legislation identifies energy, transport and water infrastructure as priority areas, reflecting their essential role in supporting housing delivery and broader economic and social development. 

The publication of the Bill has been accompanied by further measures under the Government’s wider infrastructure acceleration agenda. These include new guidance to embed principles of better regulation across public bodies involved in infrastructure delivery, as well as the introduction of a cross-government process to rapidly assess court decisions that may impact future projects. Together, these initiatives are intended to create a more responsive, efficient and coordinated system for infrastructure delivery. 

For Dublin Chamber, the Bill represents a welcome and necessary reform at a time when infrastructure constraints are increasingly impacting the capital’s competitiveness and growth. Chronic delays in the delivery of key projects, particularly in transport, energy and water, continue to act as a barrier to housing development and constrain business growth across the Dublin region. While we welcome this Bill as a positive step forward, we urge that momentum be maintained. The timely passage and implementation of the Bill will be critical to delivering real reform and tangible outcomes. 

Minister Jack Chambers is due to address Dublin Chamber members in May, providing an important opportunity for the business community to engage directly with the Minister on the detail of the legislation and the broader infrastructure acceleration agenda.  

For more on our event with the Minister, see here.  

For more on the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026, see here.