The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, announced yesterday he was urgently examining proposals for the introduction of a "critical infrastructure" Bill that would address issues affecting the timeframe and costs involved in the planning, design, construction and delivery of major infrastructure projects.
Mr Brennan said attention needed to be paid to a number of factors that were combining to restrict the speed at which major transport projects could be delivered and opened to the public.
He also expressed concern at the serious escalation in costs that can occur between the original tender price and the bill to the State for the finally completed scheme.
The Minister was speaking at the opening of the N25 Youghal Bypass in Co Cork. The new bypass is 6.2 km long and cost about €44 million.
The bypass will remove over 10,000 cars and heavy goods vehicles daily from the Youghal town centre and will also greatly improve road access from Rosslare Port to Waterford, Cork, Limerick and the tourist areas of the southwest.
Mr Brennan said it was time to deliver on projects instead of constantly analysing our options.
"The options have been studied to death. Frankly what is required now is delivery on all of these projects. We know what has to be done. Between all of us, we have a great habit of taking seven or eight years to do something that should be done in three or four years. It is now time to decide what type of changes are acceptable to shorten that timeframe."
The Minister said he was examining proposals for the introduction of a special infrastructure Bill that would deal with issues of land ownership for critical infrastructures, both above and below the ground.
The Bill will also address the issues of compulsory purchase orders and who makes them and the role of local authorities in regard to the National Roads Authority.
Mr Brennan stated evidence suggests that delays in projects undertaken usually begin long before the actual physical digging work commences.
"They begin from the moment we decide to undertake a project until we start turning the first sod and they can run into years. We have to shorten that cycle. If we do so, we will reduce the cost. If a project is expected to take nine years and you can do it in four, it will be done much cheaper because the sum you factor in for risk will reduce dramatically, as will inflation and other costs."
Mr Brennan said that this year the Government was providing over €1.2 billion for national road improvements throughout the country, which is over three times the level of funding four years ago.
The Minister claimed the new bypass would be invaluable to Youghal itself and would help the area to fulfil its huge tourism potential.