Critical Infrastructure Bill 2026: Explanatory Memorandum (data.oireachtas.ie)

• Government can designate critical infrastructure projects by order
• Public bodies must prioritise and cooperate to accelerate approvals
• Climate Act compliance waived for designated projects
• Orders subject to Dáil annulment within 21 sitting days

"The bill empowers the Irish Government to designate specific infrastructure projects or programmes as critical. Public bodies must prioritise these, avoid delays, and cooperate. No specific projects are named; designation is by Government order laid before Dáil Éireann, subject to annulment within 21 sitting days. Section 7 disapplies Section 15 of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 for designated projects. The goal is to fast-track approvals through existing processes."