The broad outline of a likely Government response to one of the most pressing public policy problems facing the State – the slow pace of infrastructure development – is emerging. A Cabinet committee on Monday considered a report from a taskforce charged with making recommendations on how to get things moving. It is due to go to a Cabinet meeting in the weeks ahead.
Ministers will have to choose what to accept from the menu in front of them. Indications are that there is a political mood to act and that many of the recommendations will be accepted. The key issue then will be moving at sufficient speed. If this does not happen, momentum may be lost.
The Cabinet committee is reportedly considering around two dozen recommendations ranging from significant pieces of legislation in relation to critical infrastructure to a range of administrative measures, including a major review of relevant regulations.
There are important decisions to be made on the directions to be taken, which will depend in part to what is legally and Constitutionally possible. But thought is needed, too, on the sequencing of what will be done and the pace of action.
RM Block
Many of the measures – particularly those involving new legislation – could take significant time. And time is not on the side of a Government that was slow to find its feet and is under pressure to deliver on housing, record homelessness levels and infrastructure, all areas where the previous administration failed to make significant progress.
That the Government has now recognised the urgency of action and is devoting resources and time to making progress is welcome. But it faces a mighty task in getting all the arms of State pointing in the right direction and working together effectively to get its new plan up and running, never mind the relentless focus on implementation required thereafter.
Political dangers also lie ahead. A key reason why progress on housing and infrastructure has been so slow is that there is significant opposition to many developments. Dealing much more effectively with complaints is vital and the judicial review process is clearly in need of reform. Consideration will also be given to the option of emergency powers legislation. It is unclear what shape this would take, but the clear preference must be to develop a functioning system that avoids the need for such sweeping powers.
The complex nature of the reform process under consideration presents challenges. There is a risk that the process will run out of steam. Ministers need to commit to an agreed timeline and be prepared to move heaven and earth to stick to it. And a big part of this will be providing the leadership needed. To be credible, Government needs to accept the extent of past failures.
