Minister Canney welcomes updated Infrastructure Guidelines to accelerate delivery of major national projects
Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed Government approval of key updates to the Infrastructure Guidelines, describing them as a decisive step to accelerate the delivery of major public infrastructure projects across the State.
The changes, arising from the Report and Action Plan on Accelerating Infrastructure, are designed to streamline governance, simplify approvals and reduce delays at the critical early stages of project development – supporting faster delivery of housing-enabling infrastructure, health facilities, climate and energy projects, water services and transport investment.
Minister Canney said the updated framework reflects a clear Government focus on delivery.
“Across Government, communities are waiting on infrastructure – whether it’s housing-enabling works, hospitals, water and wastewater projects, climate adaptation or transport investment. These changes are about moving from process-heavy systems to a delivery-focused approach that gets projects on site sooner.”
The approved updates include a number of significant reforms, including:
· Increasing the Major Projects threshold from €200 million to €500 million for transport, energy and water services, significantly reducing the number of projects subject to the most onerous central approvals process.
· Removing the requirement for Ministerial approval at Gate Two (Preliminary Business Case stage) for those major projects, allowing schemes to progress more quickly following approval by the relevant Accounting Officer in the relevant Department.
· Replacing the External Assurance Process (EAP) with a streamlined, time-bound internal review process, reducing duplication and delay.
· Introducing clearer administrative guidance on Preliminary Business Case preparation, including indicative 3-6 month timelines and a maximum length, to accelerate early-stage progression.
Minister Canney said his professional background as a former quantity surveyor gives him a strong appreciation of how early clarity improves outcomes.
“From a quantity surveying perspective, the biggest risks to cost, timelines and delivery often arise at the earliest stages. Clear thresholds, realistic timelines and proportionate oversight help to control costs and keep projects moving. The old adage prevails – time is money and it was never more relevant than in these inflationary times.”
Minister Canney said the reforms demonstrate a shared Government commitment to delivering infrastructure that underpins economic growth and quality of life.
“This is about maintaining strong financial discipline while removing unnecessary bottlenecks. By modernising how we assess and approve projects, we are creating the conditions to deliver the infrastructure people need, faster and more effectively.”