Timelines for the delivery of major road projects could be cut by years by simplifying regulations and consent processes, the public expenditure minister has said. Asked how much time he expects to see shaved off project delivery for roads with his changes, Mr Chambers said it would depend on the type of road project. He said some local road projects only take months to get approvals, while larger national roads can be years in the pre-planning phases. Asked if the proposals are a push for deregulation of health and safety standards, Mr Chambers said the Government did not want to compromise in this area. However, on environmental regulations, Mr Chambers said some of these are blocking projects, like wastewater treatment, which are designed to improve the environment.

Source: Irish Examiner February 25, 2026 17:19 UTC