Excessive regulation delaying key infrastructure projects, Cabinet to hear 

The department report will also outline areas of international best practice that are being examined as potential solutions in Ireland

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers will brief ministers on a report by his department’s infrastructure division at the final Cabinet meeting before the summer break at Government Buildings. Picture: Stephen Collins /Collins

Big projects are battling against too much regulation and are being delayed by up to five years due to judicial reviews, Cabinet is to be told.

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers will brief ministers on a report by his department’s infrastructure division at the final Cabinet meeting before the summer break at Government Buildings.

It is understood that this report will outline emerging themes and barriers that are delaying the delivery of infrastructure in Ireland following consultation and engagement.

It comes just a week after the publication of the review of the National Development Plan.

It is understood that the report will outline 12 key thematic issues delaying the delivery of infrastructure.

These include the increased regulatory and legal burden for those developing key infrastructure, inconsistent planning decisions, limits on regulatory agencies’ ability to prioritise and consider wider societal aims, and limited public awareness of the consequences of poor infrastructure.

The report is also expected to place a heavy emphasis on the impact that judicial reviews are having, as well as the growing threat of judicial reviews on infrastructure delivery.

It is estimated that the planning and consenting process for critical infrastructure takes between three and five years longer due to the added threat, duration, and impact of judicial reviews.

The report will also outline areas of international best practice that are being examined as potential solutions in Ireland.

These include recent reforms such as the One Canadian Economy Act 2025, which provides for certain projects of national interest to be fast-tracked.

The final report, together with an accompanying action plan, will be published in the autumn.

Housing minister James Browne, meanwhile, will bring plans to Cabinet to increase housing supply targets for each local authority in the country.

The number of units zoned for will increase from 33,000 to 83,000 per annum until 2034 under the new guidelines.

⁠It is understood that Mr Browne has indicated that he expects “urgent and immediate action’ from all councils to respond to the housing crisis”.

Ministers are also expected to be updated on minister of State for planning John Cummins’ proposals to exempt certain developments from having to seek planning permission. A public consultation will go live today.

Elsewhere, social protection minister Dara Calleary will tell ministers that pensions auto-enrolment is making "good progress" before its launch in January. It follows earlier delays to the project, which saw it pushed from January 2025 to September 2025 to January 2026.

Energy minister Darragh O'Brien will bring a bill which will outline how ESB Networks should deal with unmanaged vegetation and commercial forestry close to electricity infrastructure. This was developed in the wake of Storm Eowyn.