Government cannot bypass scrutiny on critical infrastructure – Sheehan
Government cannot bypass scrutiny on critical infrastructure – Sheehan - The Labour Party
- Bill will shape delivery of Metrolink and Celtic Interconnector
Labour’s housing spokesperson Deputy Conor Sheehan has criticised the Government’s move to bypass pre-legislative scrutiny of the Critical Infrastructure Bill, following a vote today at the Infrastructure Committee where Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael backed skipping this essential stage.
Deputy Sheehan said that at a time when Ireland faces major infrastructure deficits, it is critical that legislation underpinning key projects is robust, legally sound and fully scrutinised. He called on Government to reverse course and allow proper Oireachtas oversight to ensure the Bill is fit for purpose.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“It is extraordinary that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are seeking to rush through legislation of this scale without proper scrutiny. This Bill will shape how we deliver critical infrastructure for decades to come. We simply cannot afford to get it wrong. Government’s approach is reckless and short sighted. If this legislation is as urgent as the Minister claims, then the question must be asked why it has taken more than a year to bring it forward. The idea that pre-legislative scrutiny could not have taken place in that time is not credible. It is disingenuous to suggest that proper oversight would delay progress when in reality it would strengthen the Bill and avoid costly mistakes later.
“We know that many of the delays in delivering infrastructure in Ireland stem directly from Government failures, poor planning, weak oversight and legal challenges that could have been avoided. Rushing legislation through the Oireachtas without scrutiny risks repeating those same mistakes. This Bill is intended to underpin and accelerate projects like Metrolink and the Celtic Interconnector, both of which are vital to our economic future and climate commitments. That makes it all the more important that the legislation stands up to legal and public scrutiny.
“There are already serious concerns that elements of the proposed Bill may be in breach of the Aarhus Convention, a legally binding international agreement to which Ireland is a signatory. This Convention guarantees public participation and access to information in environmental decision making. If the Government proceeds without addressing these concerns, it opens the door to legal challenges at EU level, including actions before the Court of Justice of the European Union. That would cause further delays to the very infrastructure projects the Government claims it wants to accelerate.
“We need a Government that is serious about delivering infrastructure, not one that cuts corners and risks legal uncertainty. The Minister must immediately reverse this decision and allow for full pre-legislative scrutiny. Getting this Bill right is crucial not just for infrastructure delivery, but for public confidence in how decisions are made. Labour will continue to push for proper oversight, legal certainty and a transparent process that delivers the infrastructure Ireland urgently needs.”