Welcome to the latest ACEI public affairs digest from the ACEI (covering December 2025 and January 2026).
Since the most recent newsletter ACEI has continued momentum in the political space advocating for key policy changes and helping shape infrastructure delivery across the island. In 2026, already there has been;
- 12 Political Engagements
- 4 Ministers and
- 2 Special Advisors
Political Backdrop:
Since the last Public Affairs Digest, the government has launched the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan which will set the tone for infrastructure delivery in Ireland for the foreseeable future. Though widely celebrated for its ambition there remains important detail to be ironed out in between the lines of the 30-point Action Plan. For example, Action 25 within the Report speaks positively but vaguely on the introduction of new contract types for the sector. This is something we have advocated heavily for and should be recognised as a good result for the work undertaken in this area and it is within the aforementioned spaces that political engagement can help clarify industry concerns and deliver results for members.
Key priorities for the sector and ACEI remain:
- Introduction of more flexible contract types (to include NCCs)
- Median pricing on government procurement
- Collateral warranties
Media appearances:
3 December: Director General, Shane Dempsey in the
Irish Examiner on the Government’s Infrastructure Action Plan
5 December: Senior Policy Advisor, Dónal O’ Neill spoke with the
Irish Examiner on infrastructure delivery
22 December: Irish Times piece from
Director General, Shane Dempsey on need to embrace risk to speed up delivery of key infrastructure projects
12 January: Radio slot on WLR FM, speaking about recent challenges in delivery of key infrastructure.
17 January: In a piece for the
Irish Independent, Director General, Shane Dempsey lined out the key projects illustrating movement on infrastructure in 2026.
ACEI Political Engagement:
10 December: Meeting at the Department of Infrastructure with Kevin Meaney (Civil Service)
20 January: Meeting with Joanne Lonergan, Special Advisor to the Tánaiste, Simon Harris (Fine Gael).
21 January: Meeting in Leinster House with opposition spokesperson on housing, Eoin Ó Broin (Sinn Féin)
22 January: Meeting in Leinster House with member of the Oireachtas Infrastructure Committee, Reada Cronin (Sinn Féin)
26 January: Meeting in Offaly Constituency Office with member of the Oireachtas Infrastructure Committee, Tony McCormack (Fianna Fáil)
27 January: Meeting in Department of Climate, Energy and Environment with Minister Timmy Dooley and special advisors, Tom Tynan and David Phelan. (Fianna Fáil)
28 January: Meeting in Leinster House with Deputy Cian O’ Callaghan (Social Democrats)
28 January: Meeting in Leinster House with member of the Oireachtas Infrastructure Committee, Louis O’ Hara (Sinn Féin)
4 February: Meeting in Leinster House with Minister Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
9 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)
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.
