Cost to take priority over ‘aesthetics' in future State infrastructure projects
The Government will prioritise 'cost and efficiency over design standards and aesthetics' when it comes to future infrastructure spending after the cost overruns and delays of the €2.24 billion
national children's hospital
, the Minister for Public Expenditure
Jack Chambers
has said.
'There needs to be much better discipline in cost effectiveness in projects,' Mr Chambers said in London. 'That means making choices around cost and efficiency over design standards and aesthetics in some instances. There are important lessons out of the children's hospital,' he said.
The Minister confirmed the Government will publish a review next month of the State's €165 billion National Development Plan that will map out multiannual spending on specific projects into the medium term, instead of planning funding year-by-year.
'We have heard the concerns about the annualised nature of [current] funding and how that affects the pipeline of projects,' said the Minister. 'Some commercial State bodies aren't even sure on a year-to-year basis what projects they can commence.'
READ MORE
He said a new approach to decide funding for a pipeline of projects over the longer term would 'send a strong signal to the market that the projects are coming'.
Water, wastewater and energy projects will be prioritised over all other types of investment, along with transport infrastructure targeted at areas where new housing can be built. The review will also allocate an extra €20 billion for investment, comprised of back-taxes received from Apple, the State's sale of AIB shares and other funds.
Mr Chambers spoke to The Irish Times on the margins of an insurance industry event at the City of London offices of the Fidelis Partnership, a specialist firm that covers risky events such as wars.
He said he was still in talks with other Ministers over infrastructural spending but hinted he planned to disappoint them with a 'disciplined' focus on his core priorities of water, energy and transport to boost housing.
'There is always ambition in Government that exceeds what's possible.' He said the core areas he intends to prioritise 'are not optional extras'. He singled out investment in the power grid as one area to be prioritised at the expense of less urgent projects.
'We have an infrastructural deficit. We need to address that and front up to it. That means choices and trade-offs.'
The Minister said rules around capital spending in State departments and agencies will also be overhauled to cut red-tape and reduce 'needless delays'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
3 hours ago
- The Journal
Dublin awash with colour as thousands take part in Pride parade
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE have taken to the streets of Dublin to mark this year's Pride parade. Organisers said there were more than 12,000 people marching in the annual parade. This year's event also celebrated a milestone 10 years of marriage equality. The capital's streets were filled with an array of colour, music and dance as the parade made its way to Merrion Square's Pride Village for speeches and entertainment. Among those taking part was Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Labour leader Ivana Bacik, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers. Citing the previous work of the Government to address gay rights and equality, Martin told the crowd at Merrion Square that he is aware 'our work is far from done'. Martin was forced to raise his voice as a small number of protesters shouted for better trans rights and health care access during his speech. Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin with Lord Mayor Emma Blain at the Pride parade in Dublin City centre today. Justin Farrelly / © Justin Farrelly / © / © The Fianna Fáil leader said: 'LGBTIQ+ people in Ireland today still face a myriad of challenges, and the Government is committed to bolstering our efforts to address these challenges and delivering for our LGBTIQ+ citizens. 'There are global trends of increased harassment and persecution of LGBTIQ+ people across the world, which make many of our LGBTIQ+ citizens feel deeply concerned and unsafe. 'This is not the vision for Ireland that we are striving to build.' Martin continued: 'Our goal is to build a society in which LGBTIQ+ people can live safe, inclusive, healthy and fulfilling lives in an accepting and compassionate Ireland. 'The new LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy will promote and respect the right of LGBTIQ+ people to live their lives safely, free of harassment and violence. 'It will advance health and wellbeing outcomes through improved investment and access to a range of health services. 'It will build on initiatives already undertaken within the business community and by employers so that LGBTIQ+ people are enabled to participate fully within the workplace. 'This new strategy will seek to deliver a fairer and more inclusive Ireland, and Government departments and state agencies are determined to work together to that end.' The grand marshal of Dublin Pride, Ruadhán Ó Criodáin, who has long advocated for LGBT+ rights, told the crowd in Merrion Square: 'We all want better futures for the next generation of queer people, but without education or health care, trans people can't see those futures for ourselves. 'I know you won't let our community die for the want of a future. I know that each of you will stand with trans people, I know that you will stand up and fight back. 'I know that you won't give in to the transphobe you've seen take hold in the UK, because we are stronger than that. 'The far right and the TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminism) movement want to divide the LGBT community.' 'They want to isolate your trans siblings, because then it'll be easier to tear us all apart. Advertisement 'If they come for us first, they will come for all of you next. But I won't let that happen to my community, and I know you'll promise me the same. 'There is no LGBT without the T.' Dublin Mayor Emma Blaine said: 'Today, we march through the heart of our capital, a city that celebrates diversity, embraces inclusion and champions equality. 'Pride is more than a parade. It's a powerful statement of love, of visibility and of resilience. 'It's a celebration of how far we have come and a reminder of the work still ahead. 'Dublin has a proud history of standing up for the rights of its citizens. 'We remember today, the trailblazers, the activists and the everyday people who fought and continue to fight for dignity, respect and justice.' She added: 'To our LGBTQ+ young people, know that you are valued, you are seen, and you belong, this city stands with you. 'To all the allies here today, thank you for walking beside us, not just today, but every day.' Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The parade started at O'Connell Street at 12.30pm, and travelled along Eden Quay and Custom House Quay before crossing the Talbot Memorial Bridge, up Lombard Street and Westland Row before finishing at Merrion Square. The non-ticketed festival at the Pride Village included music, food stalls, acts and speeches on the main stage. In his last year as president, Michael D Higgins offered his warmest greetings ahead of the Pride parade. He said: 'This annual celebration is a vital affirmation of the rights, dignity, and joy of our LGBT+ communities. 'It is a time, too, to remember with gratitude the courage of those who paved the way for progress when marching was not safe, who gave voice to truths that were long silenced, and who set the foundations for the inclusive Ireland that we continue to strive towards today. 'In recent years, great strides have been made in advancing the rights and recognition of LGBT+ people in Ireland. 'In celebrating Pride this year, we are also marking the 10th anniversary of the Marriage Equality referendum, a moment that spoke of the kind of Ireland we aspire to be: inclusive, generous, an Ireland that is unafraid to affirm the equal worth of all of our citizens. 'Yet, we must also acknowledge that the journey is not complete. 'A truly inclusive society is one where all can live authentically and creatively, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, where all can participate fully, and where all voices are not only heard but valued, in all their richness and diversity. 'Pride remains a vital expression of that vision in challenging us to deepen our commitment to human rights, to solidarity, and to the kind of republic that cherishes all of its people equally. 'In a time when hard-won rights are being questioned in many parts of the world, such vigilance and unity are more vital than ever.' There were road closures in the city centre.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Major social welfare warning as hundreds set to be impacted by closure of An Post office in tiny Irish village
A MAJOR warning has been issued for hundreds of social welfare recipients who are set to be affected by a change in their collection process. The Advertisement This means that from July 11 onwards, the social welfare recipients will be unable to collect their payments at the post office. Those receiving payments must receive them from A customer notice issued by the post office reads: "Leenane Post Office will permanently close on Friday 11th July 2025 at 15:00. "All DSP payments will be available at Letterfrack Post Office, The Country Store, Letterfrack from Monday 14th July 2025. Advertisement READ MORE ON MONEY "All other Post Office services are available at Letterfrack Post Office or from a Post Office of your choice. "An Post would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for their continued support." However, Bus Eireann offers bus services between Letterfrack and Leenane, but only comes every two hours, meaning recipients would have to wait for nearly two hours until their next bus home. Advertisement Most read in Money The permanent closure is due to the Postmaster in Leenane is leaving the business and it has been unable to find another contractor, Galway Bay FM reports. Jack Chambers confirms €125 increase in Earned Income Credit It was revealed that An Post hopes to provide a Postpoint terminal at the local shop in the area, which will provide some level of service around NEW CHILD BENEFIT PAYMENT Meanwhile, Dara Calleary has confirmed his department is "working on" a targeted However, he warned that an "unintended consequence" of a Advertisement The When asked by Independent TD He added: "That is why the programme for Government includes a range of measures to support children and their families. "One such commitment is to explore a targeted child benefit payment and examine the interaction this would have with existing targeted supports to reduce child poverty. Advertisement "Existing supports include the The 1 Social welfare recipients have been warned over the closure of the post office Credit: Getty
Irish Times
8 hours ago
- Irish Times
‘None of us are free until everyone is free': Tens of thousands attend Budapest Pride in defiance of ban
Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Hungary's capital on Saturday as a banned LGBTQ+ rights rally swelled into a mass demonstration against the government. Crowds filled a square near Budapest's city hall before setting off across the city, some waving rainbow flags, others carrying signs mocking prime minister Viktor Orban . 'This is about much more, not just about homosexuality .... This is the last moment to stand up for our rights,' said Eszter Rein Bodi, one of the marchers. 'None of us are free until everyone is free,' one sign read. READ MORE Small groups of far-right counter-protesters attempted to disrupt the parade, but police kept them away and diverted the route of the march to avoid any clashes. Participants march in the Budapest Pride parade on Saturday. Photograph:Mr Orban's nationalist government has gradually curtailed the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the past decade, and its members of parliament passed a law in March that allows for the ban of Pride marches, citing the need to protect children. Opponents see the move as part of a wider crackdown on democratic freedoms ahead of a national election next year when Mr Orban will face a strong opposition challenger. Organisers said participants arrived from 30 different countries, with 70 members of the European Parliament, including from Ireland, joining the parade. More than 30 embassies have expressed support for the march and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen called on Hungarian authorities to let it go ahead. Seventy Hungarian civil society groups, including the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Transparency International Hungary and the Hungarian Helsinki Commission, published an open letter on Friday in support of the march, saying the law that led to the police ban 'serves to intimidate the entire society'. 'The right to assembly is a basic human right, and I don't think it should be banned. Just because someone does not like the reason why you go to the street, or they do not agree with it, you still have the right to do so,' said Krisztina Aranyi, another marcher. Budapest's municipality organised the Pride march in a move to circumvent a law that allows police to ban LGBTQ+ marches. Photograph: Peter Kohalmi/AFP via Getty Images Budapest mayor Gergely Karacsony tried to circumvent the law by organising the march as a municipal event, which he said does not need a permit. Police, however, banned the event, arguing that it fell under the scope of the child protection law. Mr Orban, whose government promotes a Christian-conservative agenda, provided some clues on Friday about what participants can expect when he warned of 'legal consequences' for organising and attending the march. Earlier this week his justice minister Bence Tuzson warned in a letter sent to some foreign embassies in Budapest that organising a prohibited event is punishable by one year in jail, while attending counts as a misdemeanour. The law that allows for the ban of Pride lets police impose fines and use facial recognition cameras to identify people who attend. When asked about the threat of a one-year jail term, Mr Karacsony said at a press briefing on Friday that such a sentence would only boost his popularity. 'But I cannot take it seriously,' he said. Making the march a key topic of political discourse has allowed the Orban government to take the initiative back from the opposition and mobilise its voter base, said Zoltan Novak, an analyst at the Centre for Fair Political Analysis. Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orban. Photograph: John Thys/AFP via Getty Images 'In the past 15 years, Fidesz decided what topics dominated the political world,' he said, noting that this has become more difficult as Mr Orban's party has faced an increasing challenge from centre-right opposition leader Peter Magyar's Tisza party, which had a 15-point lead over Fidesz in a recent poll. Tisza, which has been avoiding taking a strong position on gay rights issues, did not specify in response to questions whether it believed the Pride march was lawful, but said those attending deserved the state's protection. 'Peter Magyar has called on the Hungarian authorities and police to protect the Hungarian people this Saturday, and on other days as well, even if it means standing up against the arbitrariness of power,' its press office said. Mr Magyar himself did not attend. - Reuters
