39. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation if he will report on the progress being made under Pillar IV of the Accelerating Infrastructure Plan. [40323/26]

Last year, Government published the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. This set out 30 high-impact reforms targeted at the most significant barriers to the delivery of critical infrastructure. The actions contained in the report are grouped into four pillars.

Pillar 4 of the plan relates to ‘Public Acceptance’, which is at the centre of timely infrastructure delivery.

Greater public awareness and understanding of the need for critical infrastructure and measures that improve transparency and build trust with key stakeholders, such as landowners and local communities, are important in addressing opposition to critical infrastructure.

This pillar introduces measures to strengthen cooperation between utilities and local authorities and build a national narrative around the benefits of infrastructure, as well as more practical measures to improve the coordination of land sharing in the public sector. By fostering trust and transparency, these reforms will support a more informed debate around the provision of infrastructure. Government will make the case for infrastructure openly and honestly, and ensure that communities see the benefits early and clearly.

Pillar 4 sets out four high-level actions to strengthen public acceptance as a key enabler of accelerated delivery. These are:

• Action 27: Creating a Duty for State Bodies to Cooperate in Making Land Available and Accessible for Critical Infrastructure

• Action 28: Building Leadership Support for Critical Infrastructure Projects at National and Local Levels

• Action 29: Enhancing Government Communication to Promote the Importance of Infrastructure Delivery

• Action 30: Establishing a Benefits Realisation Framework for Infrastructure Projects

The delivery of the Plan is on track, with all commitments for Q1 2026 across all pillars delivered.

Regarding Pillar 4, overall progress has centred on improving coordination across Government, strengthening engagement with key stakeholders and public representatives, and putting in place a more strategic, consistent and evidence-informed approach to infrastructure communications. This reflects the central aim of Pillar 4, which is to build understanding of the wider public benefits of infrastructure and support stronger alignment across Government, agencies and delivery bodies.

Work is continuing on the remaining measures scheduled for delivery this quarter and beyond. This will help maintain momentum under Pillar 4 and ensure that public acceptance supports the timely delivery of the critical infrastructure needed to meet the country’s economic, social and environmental needs.