Attracting private mobile capital critical if national infrastructure priorities are to be met – Ibec 

• Private sector invests billions of euros annually in Irish infrastructure but more must be done to convince international investors that Ireland is a competitive location for this mobile capital
• €2.1 billion invested in telecom networks over the last three years in response to a 460% data surge over the past eight years
• The majority of the future €17 billion annual spend in renewables will be mobilised by private sector investment
• Ibec’s “Dig a Little Deeper” report highlights the scale of private sector investment underpinning infrastructure ambitions

Ibec, the group representing Irish business, today published a report, "Dig a Little Deeper," which details the scale of private sector investment already made and the significant capital that will be required across some of Ireland’s key infrastructure priorities. According to the report, sectors such as Telecommunications invest over €700 million annually in digital networks while it is anticipated that the future annual funding requirement of €17 billion will be needed to support Ireland's shift to renewables, which will largely be mobilised by private energy firms deploying new technologies at scale.

This report, part of Ibec’s broader "Investing for Ireland" campaign, highlights the scale of private capital already underpinning Ireland’s infrastructure and the urgent need to unlock further capital to meet national priorities, many of which were outlined in last week’s Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce Report. Several key Ibec priorities were reflected in the action plan including muti-annual public funding, revitalising public-private partnerships funding, single entity oversight and much needed planning & legal reform.

Fergal O’Brien, Executive Director of Lobbying and Influence, said:

"Investment in essential enabling infrastructure- be it energy, telecoms, transport, health, environmental, or other critical services-often led by the private sector. If these companies were absent or unable to secure new investment, these projects simply would not happen. As we stand at a critical juncture regarding our national infrastructure and the steps needed to address current issues, private investment is a key enabler. Just as we attract jobs, new companies, and large-scale enterprise investment, we must also be competitive as a location for infrastructure funding.

Securing mobile capital for infrastructure, utilities, and other major projects not only delivers much-needed physical investment but also provides the enabling framework that supports employment growth and enterprise expansion across all sectors. We are calling on Government to send out a strong signal internationally that Ireland is open for business from an infrastructure delivery perspective and to work closely with private sector infrastructure firms to ensure delivery challenges are addressed."

Speaking on the launch of Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce Action plan

Fergal O’ Brien added, “the business community warmly welcomes the plan and the important role it is playing in highlighting the barriers to infrastructure delivery in Ireland right now. The success of the plan will depend on its ability to implement the outlined reforms on schedule, and on holding the relevant bodies accountable when progress falls short.”

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers said:

“Ibec’s report underscores the scale of private investment already committed to our national infrastructure. The private sector is an important engine for delivering key strategic infrastructure priorities. Our government recognises the urgent need to make Ireland a highly competitive location for this mobile capital if we are to realise the ambition set out in the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce Action Plan. By implementing these concrete actions, we are committed to strengthening the public-private delivery framework and ensuring we build the vital infrastructure necessary for a modern, thriving economy and society.”