Doubts grow over  establishment of new Department of Infrastructure

Harris unsure if key election promises will become government policy

Taoiseach Simon Harris stopped short of saying that a new infrastructure department would form part of any government deal.

Fine Gael is unsure if some of its key election promises will become government policy, as doubts have grown over the establishment of a new Department of Infrastructure.

Signals from both Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin indicate that a wider infrastructure department will not be set up, but the incoming government will have a significant focus on major infrastructure projects.

“We’ve had good progress on the structure of the government, but suffice to say that infrastructure is a key factor that crosses all departments,” Mr Martin said, appearing to signal that it would not be centralised within a single department.

Mr Martin said that the new government would be “very impatient” with any absence or procrastination in delivery on infrastructure projects.

Mr Harris stopped short of saying that a new infrastructure department would form part of any government deal.

“Specifically on infrastructure, I feel very, very strongly that we have to have a better way of delivering major infrastructure in this country,” Mr Harris said.

“There is engagement underway and I want to respect that, but I’m very confident that the new government will have a sharp focus on how better to make sure we can drive delivery on infrastructure.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin 

Fine Gael made the introduction of a Department of Infrastructure a key pledge in its election manifesto, while Fianna Fáil expressed some skepticism about the proposal.

Fianna Fáil sources have since said that reforms to the Department of Public Expenditure are more likely to help speed up infrastructure projects.

Asked about the prospects of Fine Gael’s acorn saving scheme, €1,000 for all newborns in a savings account, forming part of the coalition’s governing programme, Mr Harris said he did not know yet.

“I don’t want to pre-empt that, other than to say at a broad level, I think putting structures in place to help families save and prepare for the future is a good policy worthy of consideration,” Mr Harris said.

Both Micheál Martin and Simon Harris have been meeting daily in a bid to ensure that talks progress smoothly, but there remains some uncertainty around Fine Gael's election proposal of the savings scheme for newborns, which Fianna Fáil members were cool on during the campaign.

Sources said that Thursday's talks took in disability and justice, with health being discussed late into Thursday.

A plenary meeting of negotiation teams will take place on Friday, with a senior source saying that this meeting will set a "clear direction of travel" for the remaining talks.

At a meeting of Fine Gael TDs and Senators on Thursday, lead negotiator Helen McEntee told the party that talks were progressing as swiftly as possible.

While both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have promised a health-led approach to illegal drugs, Mr Martin said that he was “surprised” at reactions to his party’s call for cannabis decriminalisation.

However, Mr Harris said he would not support broader decriminalisation.

Both Mr Martin and Mr Harris are continuing to aim for agreement to be reached and ratified by January 22.

Meanwhile, the lead negotiators for the Regional Independents - Michael Lowry, Marian Harkin and Seán Canney - are set to meet with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael today to set out their policy document.

The document, agreed by the seven independent TDs who make up the group, was being finalised this week ahead of Friday's talks and deals with issue affecting the country, according to one member. The group is said to be particularly focused on housing and health.

Meanwhile, Independent Ireland said its meetings with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael negotiators were progressive but "could go either way".

Speaking after the meetings on Thursday, Michael Fitzmaurice remained uncertain about whether the meeting was just "ticking boxes" but said the discussion appeared genuine and must be taken at face value.

He said that there was a degree of agreement, but some areas such as agriculture and carbon tax were more difficult.

Ken O'Flynn said discussions saw unity on some issues with Fianna Fáil, in particular, agreeing that there needs to be reform in justice including improving garda recruitment numbers and examining the possiblity of harsher sentencing.

According to the Cork TD, his group were asked what ministerial role they would want if they were to join the coalition but said its focus is on policy rather than availing of ministerial perks.