9 hours ago
Infrastructure taskforce to be updated on project delays
The Government's recently-formed infrastructure taskforce is to be briefed on the delays besetting key projects across the country.
Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers is to chair the second meeting of the 'accelerating infrastructure taskforce', which is focusing on removing barriers to delivery.
At the meeting, it is expected that members will be briefed on specific projects that have been subject to different types of delay.
This will include the M28 Ringaskiddy-to-Cork road, alongside water and energy projects across the country.
One government source said taskforce members will examine what changes to current processes and project requirements could be made to 'strike the appropriate balance between the controls and procedures governing the delivery of major capital projects'.
It is understood the taskforce will submit a report that identifies the specific barriers to infrastructure delivery to the Government by the end of July.
It comes after one member of the taskforce, Economic and Social Research Institute chairman Sean O'Driscoll, told the Irish Examiner there were 'catastrophic consequences' facing Ireland's water, energy, and transport networks if 'radical and brave decisions are not taken to ensure projects get completed quicker'.
Mr O'Driscoll said the Government needed to accept that there is a 'national crisis' in Irish infrastructure, while adding that public servants are more 'scared' of the public accounts committee than the economy declining.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin is to bring an update on the Government's expert group on conveyancing and probate, with the group set to be extended for a further six months.
The group is recommending a more permanent structure to take over dealing with issues surrounding probate and conveyancing in December.
Conveyancing and probate are the legal processes for transferring a property from one person to another, or for when an individual dies.
The Government's aim through the group is to speed up the conveyancing and probate processes, to avoid houses being left empty due to being stuck in lengthy processes.
There is a target of an eight-week turnaround time for solicitors to complete conveyancing, from the acceptance of an offer to its close.
A new e-probate system is expected to be launched later this year, which the Government believes will significantly reduce processing times and delays.
The group is continuing to develop proposals around the establishment of an e-conveyancing system over the coming six months.
Cabinet will also be briefed around the implementation of the Dublin City taskforce report.
It is understood that proposals within the implementation plan include the establishment of a development body for regeneration projects in the city.
This would include the future use of the GPO on O'Connell Street, but would also look at regenerating shops, apartments, and offices within the city.
Elsewhere, a meeting between transport minister Darragh O'Brien and justice minister Jim O'Callaghan took place last week to discuss options for the establishment of a new transport police.
It is understood that any such force would operate outside An Garda Síochána and would not be under the remit of the Department of Justice.
Government sources indicated that the current preferred model would see the transport police led by the National Transport Authority, with powers similar to that of the airport police.
