Ireland’s infrastructure challenges are now seen as a direct threat to competitiveness, with Chambers Ireland warning that delays in planning, housing, energy and transport are driving up costs and holding back growth.

Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot said, “it’s got very serious now”.

“We’re effectively frozen in time,” he told Newstalk Breakfast.

“Many of will know we’re using, for example, the train infrastructure – it doesn’t seem to have changed much for the last 20 years, whereas the economy has boomed.

“So, we’re going to meet Minister Paschal Donohue and Minister [Jack] Chambers about our pre-budget submission.

"We’re really going to be reinforcing the absolute essential necessity that we start to get some of the big projects we need around, as you say, energy, water, infrastructure, public transport, over the line.”

The proposed entrance to Tara Street MetroLink. It will have two entrances, one north and
south of the station, and will connect with the Irish Rail station

Mr Talbot said “our heart sinks” to see “the extent of the legal challenges” lodged against the Greater Dublin Drainage Project earlier in the week.

“Perhaps the challenges, which are an essential part of our democracy, mightn’t appear so bad if the courts, for example, had the resources they need to deal with these effectively and quickly,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s about speed of delivery on these things as much as the issue itself.

“So, again, one of the many things we’re asking for is for more investment in the court system.”

Objections

According to Mr Talbot, people should consider the wider consequences of their actions before objecting to infrastructure projects going up in their area.

“The key component here that people need to think about themselves when they’re looking at planning in their area is, these aren’t victimless decisions that are made,” he said.

“I mean, ultimately if a project gets delayed, there’s a cost to keep the project going through the appeals process.

“Inevitably, if you’re doing something five years later than you planned, the cost is going to be significantly higher.

“These are all things that just end up in the cost of living, whether it means you’re taking on a 20-mile commute instead of a five-mile commute, for example.”

Main image: 26/02/2013. Peyton estate, Rathcoole. Construction takes place in the Peyton estate in Rathcoole, Co Dublin.  Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland