Framework for Action on - Department of Taoiseach

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TAOISEACH FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PPPS Section 5: Mobilisation of Public Support to implement the Infrastructure Programme 26. The National Development Plan will involve an unprecedented expansion and acceleration of investment in infrastructure, particularly in the transport area. The completion of this programme is rightly seen as urgently required in the public interest by Government, by the social partners and by citizens. However, notwithstanding this important consensus, an expanded infrastructural programme on the scale now planned will inevitably give rise to objections in relation to the impact of individual projects. A widespread consensus in favour of increased and accelerated infrastructural investment will not in itself translate into active support <strong>for</strong>, or an absence of objections to, individual projects. One only needs to look to the examples of the Southern Cross motorway, Dublin Port Tunnel, LUAS and Quality Bus Corridors to see this reality. 27. Experience indicates the importance of anticipating and managing the inevitable reaction from individuals, businesses and communities who are directly affected by the speed and scale of the building programme proposed. The Team are strongly of the view that in planning and delivering the proposed accelerated infrastructural development programme in Ireland, it will be important to "champion" the development in the national context widely and in a very proactive way. For these reasons, there is now a need to: (a) make even more effective the present wide consensus on the priority of improving Irish infrastructure, particularly in the context of the National Development Plan (b) make the programme of infrastructural development and the objective of timely and efficient delivery of this programme an integral part of the Partnership process, particularly any successor agreement to Partnership 2000. (c) develop and implement a communications strategy, at a number of levels, designed to in<strong>for</strong>m the public of the necessity <strong>for</strong> and the economic and environmental benefits of infrastructural investment. 28. In approaching this programme, a number of key messages need to be communicated clearly. In particular: • the rationale <strong>for</strong> the expenditure on infrastructure in terms of the safeguarding of the economic and social progress made to date, • the benefits which society as a whole will derive from the quality of life improvements which improved accessibility and reduced congestion will bring, and • the vital contribution which effective infrastructure makes to securing future national development and the safeguarding of the national environment. 29. In view of the above, there is an urgent need to develop a coherent communications strategy to get the message across about the advantages of rapid implementation of the infrastructure programme (including environmental advantages). The damage both in terms of economic growth and quality of life which will result if there are major delays in the delivery of infrastructure also need to be stressed. This strategy needs to operate not just at the central Government but also at local authority and semi-State levels. The strategy will have to be properly planned and resourced and will include the engagement of professional assistance. The Team will now address this issue in more detail. - 8 -
DEPARTMENT OF THE TAOISEACH FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PPPS Section 6: Future Work Programme of the Team 30. The Team is conscious of a need to review possible wider institutional and administrative impediments to the effective implementation of the transport investment programme proposed in the National Development Plan. In addition to acting as a support Group <strong>for</strong> the Cabinet Sub-committee the Team there<strong>for</strong>e proposes, subject to the approval of the Committee, to prepare a scoping or where possible a more detailed strategy report by end December on these issues, concentrating on; • The institutional and administrative arrangements <strong>for</strong> the provision of public transport; • The administrative arrangements <strong>for</strong> the implementation of national road projects; • The institutional arrangements <strong>for</strong> transport in the greater Dublin area; • Examination of the judicial review process, and other options <strong>for</strong> legal/constitutional re<strong>for</strong>m as outlined in paragraphs 24 and 25; • The development and implementation of a communications strategy. • The removal of impediments to delivery of infrastructural projects in non transport areas. 31. As regards PPP, it is important that the good progress made to date and the momentum behind the PPP process be maintained and further developed. In line with its terms of reference, the team will support the development and implementation of the PPP framework. 32. The secretariat of the Cabinet Committee will be based in the Department of the Taoiseach. In developing these reports the Team will be supported by the new Infrastructure Unit in the Department of Finance and the Head of that Unit will participate in future meetings of the Team. Work of the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure and Public Private Partnerships 33. The Team recommends that the Cabinet Committee: • Approve the priority objectives and projects set out in Section 1. • Approve the recommendations <strong>for</strong> action in relation to programme and project delivery in Sections 2 and 3 (and Appendices II and III) and mandate the Team to liaise on the implementation of these recommendations with the delivery agencies. • Approve the future work programme of the team outlined in this Section. • Adopt the role of promoting the infrastructural development programme outlined in Section 5. 34. It is recommended that the Cabinet Committee meet with the Secretaries General of the Departments of Environment and Local Government, Finance, Public Enterprise and the Chief Executives of the NRA and CIE on a regular basis to monitor progress on the priority projects. From time to time, it will also be necessary to include other Departments with licensing/control functions e.g. Department of the Marine and Natural Resources in relation to marine <strong>for</strong>eshore licensing, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in relation to heritage, habits and archaeological functions which impact on infrastructure development . 35. The response of these bodies to the recommendations on project and programme management outlined in Section 2 should <strong>for</strong>m the basis <strong>for</strong> the initial interaction between each of these bodies and the Cabinet Committee. - 9 -
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Framework for Action on - Department of Taoiseach

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