Construction Industry Federation: Statement from Director General Tom Parlon on the National Economic Dialogue

The national economic dialogue, which concluded at Dublin Castle today, demonstrated that there is societal need for infrastructure spend to be increased.

Interestingly, a number of groups stated that infrastructure was fundamental to not just for economic growth, but also to a fair and equal society.

The government must now press ahead with the CIF’s call for the establishment of an independent commission to deliver a national vision for infrastructure investment for the next 20-30 years.

The first step that the government must take following today’s talks, is to increase infrastructure spending from 2% to 5% by 2017, to ensure economic and equity of opportunity for all regions in Ireland.

To supplement this increased spending, the Taoiseach must follow through on his engagement with the EU Commission for a relaxation of capital spending on the fiscal constraints rules for vital infrastructure.

The Dialogue also concluded that housing is a critical part of our economic and social infrastructure. We must look at all options but there was widespread agreement that supply needs to be increased and planned via the national planning framework, in the context of an increasing population.