Public Affairs Digest: November 7

Welcome to the ACEI public affairs digest for November 7.

Political Backdrop

This month the “Accelerating Infrastructure” Report will be launched, with solutions to infrastructure delivery delays expected.

See Irish Times article from 4 November which reports that timelines for big projects could be cut by up to a year: here

The ACEI met with members of the Taskforce developing the report and it appears that contracting authorities will be allowed to bring forward more projects to design phase and that they may have leeway to adopt proportionate liability and other contractual measures more favourable to consulting engineers.

Political Engagement

29 October: ACEI met with Richard Temple, CEO of Engineering New Zealand to understand more about the recent decision by the New Zealand Parliament to extend proportionate liability principles into private residential contracts

30 October: ACEI sent correspondence to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform & Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, Secretary General of the Department, David Maloney and Deputy Secretary General Colin Menton on issues including NCCs.  A PDF version of the letter can be read here

31 October: Parliamentary Questions were sent to relevant political stakeholders in the Oireachtas – seeking answers to things like median pricing, NCCs and budget constraints for contracting authorities.

3 November: Meeting arranged with Architect and Surveyor stakeholders regarding recent changes to the Department of Education’s conditions.

5 November: ACEI attended the Construction Industry Council meeting with leaders across the sector where DG ensured that NCCs and other ACEI issues were included in the council’s list of priorities.

6 November: Uisce Eireann gave evidence before the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC). ACEI were involved with helping brief members of the PAC in their understanding of the issues faced by consulting engineers in some of their work.

6 November: DG, Shane Dempsey is interviewed by the Business Post about Ireland’s past, present and future infrastructure delivery ambitions. You can read the full article here

If you are interested in any more information on these or any other topics, please revert to Shane Dempsey, DG or Dónal O’ Neill, Senior Policy.

Remember: the ACEI will represent you directly with clients if and when issues arise.  Contact us, we can help.