Laois TD calls for greater infrastructure development accountability

IN a recent address to the Dail, Fianna Fail TD for Laois and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Infrastructure and National Development, Sean Fleming TD, said Government Bodies and Departments must appear before the Infrastructure Committee on a regular basis to account for their delivery, or lack thereof, for major public infrastructure projects.

Deputy Fleming said the Committee has an important role in ensuring major State bodies and departments are delivering on the annual financial commitments made under the National Development Plan and providing value for the taxpayers' money allocated to them. He said:

"As Chair of the Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery, I believe these Delivery Bodies should appear before the Committee on a regular basis to update members on the progress of major projects under their remit across the country."

He said that given these government bodies had been charged with delivering the largest and most important infrastructure projects throughout the country and given how they receive substantial funding every year, that they should be regulated through stronger parliamentary oversight. He continued:

"It is important that the funding allocated to infrastructure is used efficiently and delivers for communities across the country."

The TD made the case that when people see significant public investment going to these government bodies it is important that they have the confidence that the money is being used efficiently and that projects are being delivered in a timely and efficient manner. He said that is exactly what the existing Infrastructure Committee is for.

Mr Fleming said that he had arranged for the five Government departments with the largest infrastructure budgets to appear before the Committee, including Housing, Health, Education, Climate and Energy, and Transport. He concluded:

"Public investment in infrastructure is substantial, and people rightly expect transparency and accountability. Regular engagement with these Delivery Bodies and the five key departments will help ensure projects stay on track, challenges are identified early, and taxpayers are getting the much-needed urgent investment while also getting value for money."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme