Irish National Development Plan sets clear expectations for businesses 

Garrett Monaghan, Dublin-based energy and projects expert at Pinsent Masons, was commenting after the Irish government unveiled a landmark review of its NDP (49 pages.8.5MB PDF), committing €165 billion to a sweeping overhaul of the country's infrastructure by 2030.
The review, described by ministers as a "reset" of capital investment strategy, places urgent emphasis on power grid resilience, water infrastructure, and sustainable transport - while acknowledging decades of inconsistent public investment. 

Monaghan said: “Sustained and counter-cyclical capital investment programmes have been absent for many years in Ireland. This plan reflects current economic and political priorities; it not only outlines a record investment in infrastructure and public services but sets clear expectations for the private sector to align with national priorities in climate action, digitalisation, and sustainable growth.”

“With Ireland’s population expected to exceed six million by 2030 or earlier, the NDP also reflects new demographic realities with infrastructure to be tailored in order to support housing, healthcare and education,” he said.

The review sets a clear window to 2030 for delivering critical infrastructure that will underpin Ireland’s economic and social resilience. The government warns that failure to act decisively now would leave the country exposed to climate, demographic and geopolitical shocks. 

A cornerstone of the plan is the transformation of Ireland electricity grid to support the transition to renewables. Measures include grid modernisation to accommodate offshore wind and distributed energy, investment in interconnectors to enhance energy security, and support for battery storage and demand-side flexibility to stabilise supply. The government is calling on energy firms and infrastructure providers to align with national decarbonisation goals and prepare for stricter procurement standards. 

The review acknowledges chronic underinvestment in water infrastructure and sets out to eliminate ‘boil water’ notices and leakage in urban and rural areas. It also sets out aims to expand wastewater treatment capacity to support housing and industry while accelerating delivery of strategic water supply projects, particularly in the Greater Dublin area. Private contractors and engineering firms will be required to meet new environmental and delivery standards to qualify for public contracts. 

On transport, the NDP reprioritises transport investment toward sustainable mobility. Planned measures include electrification of rail lines and expansion of consumer services, with BusConnects rollouts planned in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. There will also be a push to expand active travel infrastructure to support walking and cycling, with the plan calling for a shift in freight logistics in a bid to reduce emissions and congestion. 

Under the plan, all capital projects receiving public funding will undergo a climate assessment, meaning businesses must integrate low-carbon practices and material into their proposals. 

Monaghan said: “With billions earmarked for housing, transport, and digital infrastructure, businesses are encouraged to participate in public tenders, but must meet new criteria around environmental impact, innovation, and value for money.”

The government is calling on businesses to upskill their workforces in areas like green construction, digital engineering and project management to meet the demands of the NDP pipeline. Innovation in areas such as modular housing, smart mobility and energy efficiency will be favoured in procurement decisions. 

The government has pledged to monitor progress of the plan through a new infrastructure delivery unit. "Businesses should also prepare for new reporting requirements expected for companies involved in NDP-funded projects, particularly around carbon emissions, delivery timelines, and cost transparency. Increased scrutiny should be expected, including accountability mechanisms and audits carried out by the new infrastructure delivery unit," said Monaghan.