The urgent need to modernise Ireland’s utilities and infrastructure, alongside reforms to speed up delivery of large-scale projects, dominated discussions at the Byrne Wallace Shields LLP Property Investment and Infrastructure Convention

Hosted in association with Property Industry Ireland, the annual event brought together political leaders, economists, and industry experts to debate how Ireland can meet population growth, economic expansion, and housing demand.

Guest of honour Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers T.D., opened proceedings with a clear message: ambition must be matched by reform.

“This annual conference is a unique forum, bringing together leaders from a range of crucial sectors.

“It is an opportunity to reflect not just on the challenges but the opportunities facing Ireland’s property investment market and the delivery of critical infrastructure.

“The scale of ambition in Ireland’s infrastructure agenda, outlined in the revised €275bn National Development Plan, is unprecedented, and it is matched by a desire to reform our delivery systems to urgently address the needs of our people before us – in housing, utilities including water and energy, and the broader built environment,” he said.

Goodbody’s Chief Economist Dermot O’Leary stressed that Ireland requires “a decade of delivery” to close its infrastructure gap with peer nations.

While welcoming the NDP’s five-year spending plan, he highlighted persistent challenges around planning, land availability, costs, and finance.

Three panel debates drilled further into solutions, covering property investment, utilities and energy, and procurement.

Contributors repeatedly cited delays caused by planning and judicial reviews, capacity constraints, and fragmented funding.

Proposed measures included greater public-private collaboration and even special purpose legislation for major projects.

Michael Walsh, Chair of Property at Byrne Wallace Shields LLP, reflected that risk aversion since the financial crisis has contributed to “an element of paralysis, often to the detriment of progress and the furtherance of the national interest.”

David Howard, Director of Property Industry Ireland, underlined the stakes: “Delivery of both strategic and enabling infrastructure is key to meeting Ireland’s housing targets and support our competitiveness.”

Now in its fourth year, the convention continues to position itself as a key forum for debate on Ireland’s housing and infrastructure future

Photo: Speakers and Panellists with Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers T.D. (centre) (L:R) Diarmaid Kehoe, Head of European Investment Bank Group Office for Ireland; John Reilly, Head of Renewable Energy, Bord Na Móna; Brian Tapley, Head Of Customer & Project Delivery South, ESB Networks; Olwyn James, Senior Planning, Land and Utilities Manager, Uisce Eireann; Dejan Makovsek, PhD, Procurement Strategy Lead – Major Projects, Infrastructure and Public Procurement Division, Public Governance Directorate, OECD; Alice Charles, Director - Cities, Planning & Design, Arup; Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers T.D.; Michael Walsh, Chair of Property Byrne Wallace Shields LLP; Colin Richardson, Director, Head of Research, CBRE Ireland; Fergal Ruane, Head of Projects and Infrastructure, Byrne Wallace Shields LLP; Peter Lynch, CEO, FuturEnergy Ireland; Sarah Hickey, Senior Investment Director - Head of Real Assets, ISIF; Martin Cooney, Head of Infrastructure, Construction and Energy, Byrne Wallace Shields LLP; Dermot O'Leary, Chief Economist, Goodbody; Deirdre Hayes, Head of Property Fund Management, Irish Life Investment Managers; Ronan Columb, Group Managing Director, Castlethorn.
Photo Chris Bellew / Fennell Photography 2025