Ireland is one of the richest small countries in the world, yet it is among the poorest performers at delivering the basics. A challenge of confidenceThe pattern is now familiar: Weather shocks trigger action, headlines fade, and planning resets to zero. Building that safety means establishing structures that outlast governments: An independent national infrastructure office with binding timelines, a streamlined planning appeal system, and transparent cost tracking across departments. Ireland can afford almost anything except delay, yet delay remains its default setting. For all the record surpluses, Ireland rang in 2026 with a record of a different kind: 13,667 people homeless at Christmas, more than 4,200 of them children.

Source: Irish Examiner February 07, 2026 13:01 UTC