MetroLink, Galway ring road among fast
The Irish government has launched the Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 to fast-track nine major national projects. Key developments like the Dublin MetroLink and Galway ring road will receive priority administrative and technical support to accelerate delivery.
Why it matters
This legislation represents a significant shift in national planning policy aimed at overcoming bureaucratic delays in essential public infrastructure.
The Government has announced a list of projects which are to be fast-tracked under new legislation which prioritises critical infrastructure, with Dublin's MetroLink and the Galway ring road among them.
Nine major infrastructure projects and programmes have been designated as being of critical national importance, giving them priority status for faster processing and decision-making.
The projects, including MetroLink, the Galway City Ring Road and the Greater Dublin Drainage Project, are the first tranche to be designated under the Critical Infrastructure Act 2026.
The new legislation, proposed by Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, was enacted last month.
It mandates public bodies involved in authorising projects to fast-track specific schemes, which have been designated as critical by the Government.
Under the new powers, public bodies must take steps to reduce the time needed for approvals and ensure that necessary administrative, technical and decision-making resources are allocated.
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