Taoiseach Simon Harris has proposed the creation of a new Government department to oversee major infrastructure projects in Ireland.
Speaking at the annual MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Co Donegal, Mr Harris told the crowd that his aim was to centralise the management of infrastructure projects into one dedicated department.
“I want our state to improve on its delivery of small, medium, and large-scale projects. You know all about the large capital projects that go over budget and over time. You probably don’t hear about all the projects that get done on time and under budget, and we have lots of those,” Mr Harris said.
“I believe we need to consider all of this capital spending being done in one, new Department of Infrastructure. I know what it’s like to set up a new Department. I know the energy, impetus and focus it can bring to a sector,” he added.
Having been in the role of Taoiseach for three months, Mr Harris said that a Department of Infrastructure was a “pragmatic step” towards “creating a new Ireland”.
“Consider the problems of 2025. They are problems of climate change, energy, water, housing, healthcare, education, transport, and more. All of them can be solved by a dedicated Department whose role it is to prosecute the delivery of these projects, large and small, for our state.
“The good work of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery, and Reform shows me this change is both necessary and doable. This will be a key manifesto pledge for Fine Gael on which we will seek a mandate at the next election,” he said.
“A Department of Infrastructure could be a pragmatic step toward a new Ireland,” Mr Harris added.
Mr Harris said that with the right management, a Department of Infrastructure could “deliver the Ireland of 2040 and 2050 in a joined-up way”.
“Led by a cabinet minister, staffed by experts with long term goals and resourcing that is stable, thanks to the prudent work of my colleagues in government, a Department of Infrastructure could deliver the Ireland of 2040 and 2050 in a joined-up way.
“For example, I hear from businesses how water projects impact road and rail projects, which impact housing delivery, and so on. Let’s get them fixed together,” he said.
The Taoiseach added that a Department of Infrastructure could be the next best step in the evolution of Ireland.
“I believe in bringing people with us, by speaking truthfully about what we are doing and why and communicating more effectively about our greatest challenges. I believe that by building trust we can inspire collective action and transform our world.
“We have to take the next best steps in our evolution as a country. We must, literally, empower ourselves for a climate transition. We must prepare for a more fractious world.
“We must ensure our people can thrive in the coming technological revolution. We must use our considerable resources prudently. Most importantly, we must build,” Mr Harris said.
“It is the pragmatic thing to do,” he added.