To make Ireland an attractive place for construction companies to operate, urgent reforms are needed to address the current lack of investment and bureaucratic barriers that are pushing contractors to seek opportunities overseas. Large contractors are increasingly drawn to foreign markets where higher margins, clearer contracts, and more efficient procurement systems offer better returns and fewer risks. In contrast, the Irish construction sector, in working towards NDP delivery, experiences inconsistent project pipelines and a cumbersome public procurement process that discourages participation.
This panel will discuss:
- The need to create a stable, supportive environment for construction firms as essential to meet Ireland’s growing infrastructure needs
- What the government needs to do to prioritise sustained infrastructure investment
- How can we overhaul procurement practices to ensure fairer, more transparent, and timely contract awards?
