The Carlow / Kilkenny Branch of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF ) has called on Government to borrow now to deliver infrastructure and to deal with onerous and excessively bureaucratic pre-qualifying procedures for public sector construction projects.
The call came at a packed meeting of CIF members in the Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, which was attended by CIF Director General, Tom Parlon.
Speaking on behalf of the Branch, Kevin Flavin, CIF executive, eastern region said, “pre-qualification processes have become extremely onerous and bureaucratic and companies are spending an inordinate length of time filling out long forms, often in duplicate, when there is absolutely no logical requirement that they do so.
“It is further the case that some contracting authorities are placing unreasonable requirements on contractors in areas such as turnover, even though the companies have a demonstrable track-record in delivering such projects.”
The CIF executive emphasised the need to deliver on infrastructure promises set out in the National Development Plan.
“Ireland has an acknowledged infrastructural deficit in areas such as private transportation, schools, hospitals, water and waste water services, waste management, environmental infrastructure and broadband. The imperative to deliver on promised improvements is self evident. It is also the case that tendering has become very competitive and Government will get excellent value for money on infrastructure projects”.
“Ireland’s competitiveness has been eroded over the last number of years with one of the biggest contributors being lack of physical infrastructure in the country. This has restricted the growth of business across the country over the last 15 years despite a very positive economic climate. Numerous international reports over the last 24 months have alluded to the infrastructural deficit. This needs to be addressed immediately to stabilize the country as it navigates through this period of global economic uncertainty. The Government must take responsibility for those areas within its control, and this includes the front loading of infrastructure on a national and regional level.
We should borrow now to deliver the infrastructure we need and ensure that Ireland is better placed than our competitors to benefit from the recovery in the international economy when it comes”.
