Energy and engineering infrastructure in need of ‘significant investment’

IRELAND’s energy and engineering infrastructure needs “significant investment” and “better maintenance” inside five years, according to a new report.

The State of Ireland: A Review of Infrastructure in Ireland — undertaken by industry representative body Engineers Ireland — said that while our energy infrastructure has served the country well and “is currently of an acceptable standard”, the areas of transport, water, waste and communications need a major overhaul in both spend and maintenance between now and 2016.

Launching the report yesterday, Environment Minister Phil Hogan said it was “timely” in providing a view on the status of infrastructure in key areas.

He also said the Government’s five-year capital investment policy review would “retune” capital spend for maximum impact on sustainable job creation and economic recovery.

Engineers Ireland director general John Power said: “Too often in Ireland, the best of plans aren’t carried through to fulfilment. This must change.

“In preparing this report, we’re cognisant of our country’s financial difficulties, but believe that every effort should be made to invest in productive infrastructure, which will always have a positive payback. We hope that this report will help to prioritise the projects that are most critical to our future.”

Meanwhile, the new Irish Green Building Council said it has identified €2 billion worth of annual contract opportunities for firms in “greening” the built environment.

The council said the new contracts could create 30,000 new sustainable jobs.

Minister Hogan said: “Clearly there is room for further creativity and innovation and, in that respect, the formation of an Irish Green Building Council is a very welcome initiative.”