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Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has praised two decades of cross-border planning and development work as she attended a conference in Dundalk last week to mark the 20th anniversary of the International Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD). The Minister used the occasion to reflect on the role of infrastructure in people's everyday lives and to call for deeper collaboration in the years ahead.
Speaking at the event, Minister Kimmins said: "Over the last 20 years, ICLRD's work has strengthened relationships, informed better decision making and created space for shared solutions to shared challenges."
She told those gathered that the organisation "continues to bring together planners, policymakers and communities to think beyond boundaries and will continue to play a vital role in shaping a more connected, sustainable and resilient future."
The Minister also set out her broader view of what infrastructure means in practice, saying: "Although infrastructure is very often spoken about in terms of roads, rail, water and buildings, I see my role as Infrastructure Minister as being very much about people and believe that people are at the heart of our infrastructure as we build more resilience for the future."
She added that the work of her Department goes beyond construction, stating: "Our work is woven into everyday life, from the safety of our roads and the resilience of our water systems to active travel, public transport and planning the connectivity that sustains communities."
Looking to the future, Minister Kimmins said: "If the last 20 years have demonstrated the value of cooperation, the next 20 years must be defined by deeper collaboration, ensuring that infrastructure, planning and policy work together to improve the lives of people across this island."
