Sir, – There is no doubt that the continued development and stability of our economy is linked to development of transport, water supply, and secure electrical infrastructure (Gerard Howlin, “Taoiseach plans all-powerful Department of Infrastructure. What could go wrong?”, Opinion & Analysis, August 30th). Speeding up of delivery of these much-needed projects will not be solved by creating a new super department; in fact it would likely slow down the whole process. Currently, most of the logjams are in the planning process, and an urgent reassessment of An Bord Pleanála, and an infusion of appropriate technical expertise, could accelerate a lot of these delayed infrastructure projects. There appears to be a lack of programme and project management utilisation at the highest level in our public service. The use of critical-path analysis and properly cost-loaded and resourced programmes would identify the location of the logjams and highlight where the delays are.
We cannot afford to continue with the current regime. We must change now to guarantee future stability. – Yours, etc,
VINCENT CARROLL, CEng,
Dublin 14.
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Sir, – A comprehensive set of new infrastructure guidelines was introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure, and Reform this year. They need to be rigorously enforced, by departments and public bodies, at the distinct stages of project delivery. Projects should only be allowed to proceed when they get the “green light” at each evaluation stage. In addition, departments and public bodies should be challenged regularly to demonstrate that the new guidelines are being fully implemented. – Yours, etc,
TOM FERRIS,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – There have been a lot of discussions on the merits or not of establishing a Department of Infrastructure.
The alternative, of course, is that we might allow local government do the job it does in most modern and progressive democracies.
Reducing the interference in what should be local decision-making by State bodies, the national side of things might then have the energy to do the things it needs to do. I live in hope. – Yours, etc,
Cllr DERMOT LACEY,
Labour,
Dublin 4.