Chambers warns on failure to deliver infrastructure
The greatest risk to Ireland's future isn’t a lack of ambition, it is a failure to deliver, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers has told the Byrne Wallace Shields sixth annual property, infrastructure and investment convention.
Senior figures across Ireland’s property, infrastructure, and investment sectors convened at Croke Park (3 November) for the event, held in association with Property Industry Ireland, to discuss
‘Capital, Confidence & Delivery: Ireland’s Built Environment at an Inflection Point’.
The critical challenges facing the country’s development landscape were described as ‘Ireland’s Greatest Risk’ by the minister.
Central challenge
His speech highlighted execution as the central challenge facing Ireland's future growth, emphasising the need for aligned policy, private investment, and rapid execution.
"The infrastructure projects we are discussing today will shape our economy for decades to come.
“They will determine whether businesses choose to invest here, whether families can access housing, and whether Ireland remains competitive in a rapidly changing world."
Attendees heard presentations from:
- Dermot O'Leary, chief economist at Goodbody,
- Richard Shakespeare, chief executive of Dublin City Council,
- Feargal O'Rourke, chair of IDA Ireland and member of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce,
- Douglas Rowlands, Invesco Real Estate.
Closing the event, Michael Walsh, partner and chair of property at Byrne Wallace Shields LLP, said: "We came in talking about three subjects – property, infrastructure, and capital – and we leave talking about one system," Walsh said.
Private capital
"Delivering housing and infrastructure at scale needs private capital alongside the State.
“That capital will only come, and stay, where investors have confidence in our frameworks and our ability to deliver."
Walsh acknowledged that structural bottlenecks, including grid capacity, apartment viability, and labour shortages, require sustained coordination between landholders, capital allocators, and decision-makers to solve effectively.