24. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation his plans to prepare and publish a list of the types of infrastructure which will be designated as critical infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51376/26]

Section 1 of the Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 defines what can be designated by Government as critical infrastructure. Within this section 'infrastructure' is defined as any infrastructure that enables essential facilities and systems of the State to function effectively and includes, but is not limited to:

(a) transport facilities, including ports and airports, and transport systems, including roads and railways,

(b) energy generation, transmission and distributions systems, and

(c) water supply, wastewater and waste management systems.

The fact that the Act explicitly contains a provision that infrastructure includes but is not limited to the areas listed allows the Government to retain the flexibility necessary to react to pressing needs as they might emerge.

Section 3 of the Act sets out how projects or programmes will be designated as critical infrastructure. In summary, I as Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation will make a recommendation to Government in respect of an individual project or programme. Government will consider the recommendation, and, if approved, an order designating the project or programme as critical infrastructure will be laid before the Dáil. Provision is made to allow the Dáil to annul any order laid.

This section also sets out those factors that the Minister may have regard to in making a recommendation to the Government. These factors are as follows:

(a) the need to ensure effective and efficient delivery of a project or programme;

(b) whether delay to, or disruption of, the delivery of a project or programme, or failure to deliver a project or programme, may have adverse economic or social consequences for the State;

(c) whether a project or programme may impact in a positive or negative manner on the delivery of any other project or programme;

(d) the National Development Plan;

(e) such other matters in relation to infrastructure as the Minister may consider appropriate for the purposes of making a recommendation.

I have not yet made a recommendation to Government on the designation of projects.

When I bring an initial recommendation to Government my focus will be on a small number of critical projects or programmes in the energy, transport and water sectors, with a particular focus on those projects that will benefit the most from an immediate designation.