Public Affairs Digest: February

26 February 2026 By Donal O'Neill

Welcome to the latest public affairs digest from the ACEI (covering February 2026).

We’ve been busy this month engaging in meetings with;

  • 7 Political Engagements including
  • 6 Ministers or Ministers of State and 
  • 1 State-funded body
Political Backdrop:
The Accelerating Infrastructure Report remains the main show in town. When the report was first launched, it received much acclaim across the built environment sector with the only question mark remaining over its deliverability. ProgressIreland has an ‘Infrastructure Tracker’ monitoring progress across each of the key themes within the report and to-date its tracker notes two strands already ‘Overdue’ with 19 others ‘In Progress’. As things stand none of the key policies are marked ‘Complete’. Though still in very early stages, we now need to see those key strands turn ‘green’ and real progress made. That tracker can be viewed here https://infrastructuretaskforce.org/
Key priorities for the sector and ACEI remain:
  • Introduction of more flexible contract types (to include NCCs)
  • Median pricing on government procurement
  • Issues around collateral warranty extension within contracts from state-funded bodies.
Media appearances: 
11 February: Tim Murnane spoke to the Irish Examiner warning: “Infrastructure delivery in Munster and regions must accelerate rapidly”
11 February: Ahead of our Limerick Regional Event, President Tim Murnane featured in the Limerick Leader.
26 February: Director General, Shane Dempsey was featured in the Irish Examiner.
ACEI Political Engagement:
4 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
12 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fáil)
14 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Leader of the Green Party, Roderic O’ Gorman (Greens)
18 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Minister Michael Moynihan (Fianna Fáil)
24 February: Meeting with Minister of State at Dept of Transport, Sean Canney (Independent)
24 February: Meeting with delegation from the HFA
25 February: Meeting with Minister of State for Procurement, Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)
25 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Housing Minister, James Browne (Fianna Fáil)
Remember: the ACEI will represent you directly with clients if and when issues arise.  Contact us, we can help.

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