Critical Infrastructure Bill Enacted – Progress in Accelerating Infrastructure in Ireland

On 25 June 2026, the Government of Ireland enacted the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026, which has described as an essential piece of legislation.[1] The Bill creates fast-track approval processes for critical infrastructure projects that have been designated as strategically important.

The enactment of the Bill follows on from the release of the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Plan in late 2025, and places on statutory footing the Government’s commitment to progressing critical infrastructure delivery in the State.

Under the legislation, the Government may designate a project as a critical infrastructure project or programme. There is a particular focus on transport, energy and water projects: those sectors having been identified as necessary to underpin all other development in the State.

Once a project is designated as critical infrastructure, all relevant public bodies must do everything in their power to prioritise the rapid approval of such projects, including by:

• Taking all necessary steps to act expeditiously and avoid undue delays in the delivery of critical infrastructure
• Prioritising its function relating to critical infrastructure delivery over performance of its other statutory functions
• Co-operating with other public bodies to prioritise delivery
• Allocating resources as necessary

The Bill grants the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation significant oversight of the operation of the legislation, including powers to request reports, assessments and analyses from relevant public bodies relating to the bodies’ performance under the Bill.

The Bill disapplies s.15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 to relevant public bodies in the performance of their functions and duties under the legislation. s.15 of the 2015 Act requires relevant bodies to have regard to the most recent national plans relating to climate change. This disapplication operates to prioritise the delivery of critically needed infrastructure projects over compliance with national environmental measures, which should operate as a barrier to judicial review.

The enactment of the Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026 is a welcome step in progressing the Accelerating Infrastructure Plan and should operate to bolster the rapid delivery of critical infrastructure in Ireland.

Beale & Co has been providing advice to the construction sector in Ireland on public and private projects for over 20 years. We advise on all stages of construction projects, from procurement through to completion, on contract drafting, contract administration, dispute avoidance and in formal dispute processes. If you have any questions regarding the information discussed in this article or what the Bill means for your project, please contact Killian Dorney.

[1] Gov.ie, ‘Minister Chambers Announces Publication of the Critical Infrastructure Bill’, 8 April 2026