Infrastructure

Ireland’s competition tsar: ‘We need to be globally competitive – and quite frankly we’re not’

Ireland is way behind in its water, energy, transport, health and housing infrastructure and such deficits are badly damaging the economy, conference is told

Frances Ruane, chair of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council. Picture: Maura Hickey.

Ireland’s infrastructure deficits were front and centre last week, as public and private sector professionals gathered at the National Infrastructure Summit in Dublin.

The overriding message from the day was clear: Ireland is way behind on its infrastructure needs across energy, water, waste, public transport, health and housing. And without rapid action, Ireland’s economy will begin to suffer very seriously.

Highlighting the seriousness of the country’s constraints, Angela Ryan, senior asset strategy manager with Uisce ...