2026 Agenda
7:45AM
Networking and light refreshments
8:40AM
Welcome & opening Remarks from the Chair
8:50AM
GOVERNMENT Address & FIRESIDE CHAT: Transforming Ireland’s capacity to build and grow sustainably
The legislation needed to enable delivery of Ireland’s critical infrastructure – update and implementation timelines
9:10AM
FIRESIDE CHAT:
Why 2026 is a pivotal year for national delivery, planning reform and system transformation. Discussion moderated by Daniel Murray
9:30AM
PANEL DISCUSSION: Economic and geopolitical outlook
What economic and geopolitical risks could derail our investment plans? The war in Iran could have a major impact by driving up energy prices, fueling inflation and raising borrowing costs, all of which make large capital projects more expensive. Ireland’s infrastructure investment plans, particularly within the National Development Plan (NDP), are highly vulnerable to geopolitical risks due to our reliance on imported energy, critical subsea data cables, and our reliance on a globalised economy. How do we need to manage and plan for these risks?
9:55AM
ACCELERATING INFRASTRUCTURE PANEL:The outlook for infrastructure delivery in 2026 and beyond
- Infrastructure delivery action plan – what’s different about this plan?
- Can we deliver on new timelines and performance accountability, overcoming the status quo that allowed delays to persist?
- Is the pipeline of project attracting international contractors? Are they resourced to deliver?
- Key reforms to project assurance and approvals
10:30AM
Networking Break & Exhibition Viewing
11:00AM
ENERGY PANEL: Delivering our essential energy infrastructure
Ireland’s energy system is undergoing a fundamental transformation shifting from a fossil fuel-dependent model to one dominated by renewable electricity. An historic €18.9bn investment in essential energy infrastructure is underway. How will this investment plus market reform priorities transform the national grid to meet 2030 climate action, housing, and economic growth targets?
Speakers:
11:35AM
TRANSPORT PANEL: Investment priorities for a sustainable, low-carbon transport network for Ireland
Ireland is undertaking one of the most ambitious transport infrastructure programmes in its history, underpinned by the updated NDP 2026–2035, record investment allocations, and multi-billion-euro commitments to major public transport, road, rail, and active travel projects. The panel will explore Ireland’s delivery challenges, priority projects to 2035, regional connectivity needs, and the shift toward sustainability and low-carbon mobility.
12:10PM
CLIMATE PANEL: Aligning infrastructure projects with our climate goals
- How can policy frameworks, regulation, and public funding mechanisms better align infrastructure investment and delivery with net zero goals?
- From plans to protection: Delivering effective flood mitigation infrastructure
- Why infrastructure must embrace the circular economy
- As climate legislation starts to bite, why climate goals are critical in infrastructure planning decisions
Our panel explores how clear policy signals, planning reform, and delivery models can accelerate low-carbon outcomes at scale.
Speakers:
12:45PM
Networking lunch & exhibition viewing
1:40PM
Welcome back from the Chair
1:45PM
DELIVERY READINESS PANEL: Are we ready to deliver capital projects effectively and sustainably?
Amid unprecedented investment levels, ambitious decarbonisation goals, delivering maximum public value and increasing expectations for social and environmental impact, developers are navigating complex pressures. This panel explores our readiness to deliver infrastructure projects on the scale necessary and examine what past project successes — and failures — can teach us about scaling capital programmes effectively and sustainably.
Speakers:
2:25PM
FIRESIDE CHAT: The Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund
We hear about how the new €1billion HIIF will boost the delivery of public infrastructure projects and unlock housing sites in towns and cities across Ireland over the next 5 years.
2:40PM
RESILIENCE PANEL: Enhancing the security, reliability and recovery of our critical infrastructure
Attacks on critical infrastructure sites are now a fact of life and not simply a potential threat. Our closing panel focuses on enhancing the security, reliability, and recovery of essential systems (energy, transport, water, communications) against evolving threats like climate change and cyberattacks – defining resilience, key threats, the role of AI, collaboration and regulation. Plus defence infrastructure
3:15PM