Public Affairs Digest: December 2

28 January 2026 By Donal O'Neill
Welcome to the latest ACEI public affairs digest from the ACEI. Since our last communique the Secretariat has been engaged heavily with political stakeholders across government parties and departments.
Political Backdrop:
Earlier this month we saw the publication of the Government’s new housing plan and in the first week of December we are expecting the long-awaited “Accelerating Infrastructure” Report from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
This report was originally due in November but at a recent Government briefing on housing, ACEI were informed by the Principal Officer of the Infrastructure Division, Kevin Meaney, that it will now be the first week of December. 
Key priorities for the sector and ACEI:
  • Introduction of more flexible contract types (to include NCCs)
  • Median pricing on government procurement
  • Collateral warranties
Media appearances: 
21 November: Senior Policy Advisor, Dónal O’ Neill spoke with the Irish Examiner on infrastructure delivery
24 November: Director General, Shane Dempsey spoke with Newstalk Radio on infrastructure delays and barriers.
ACEI Political Engagement:
10 November: ACEI met with allies in the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) and the Royal Institute of Architects Ireland (RIAI) to agree on a joint response to the Department of Education on new contract terms.
13 November: ACEI attended a briefing in the Department of An Taoiseach on the new housing plan: “Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness.” At the briefing, ACEI spoke with government stakeholders on our ambition for the upcoming Infrastructure Report.
18 November: The Executive Committee met in Belfast to discuss the Association’s political engagement on infrastructure delivery and to hear the latest developments from our sub-Committees. Following the meeting, the team travelled to Parliament Buildings at Stormont where Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly was presenting on the region’s major barriers to infrastructure delivery.
19-20 November: Director General, Shane Dempsey travelled to Copenhagen for the latest board meeting of the European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations (EFCA). Attached is its latest‘Future Trends’ Reportwhich ACEI feed into and is as an example of the work EFCA does on key issues for consultancies across Europe.
25 November: Meeting with Helen Davidson, Chief Executive at the Association of Consulting Engineering, New Zealand. The meeting focused on the value of consulting and proportionate liability in the context of recent contractual developments in New Zealand.
26 November: Meeting with Deputy Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fáil, Wexford) on the major challenges facing the industry.
If you are interested in any more information on these or any other topics, please revert to Shane or Dónal.
Remember: the ACEI will represent you directly with clients if and when issues arise.  Contact us, we can help.

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