Author: Kevin Barry BSc(Hons) MRICS

30-Year Infrastructure Plan for Northern Ireland (2025–2055).Above politics! Objectives Key Assumptions 1. Sewage Infrastructure Community Need: Modernize aging sewage systems, reduce overflows, and meet environmental standards. 2. Water Infrastructure Community Need: Ensure clean, reliable water supply and reduce leakage rates (currently ~40% in NI). 3. Electricity Infrastructure Community Need: Transition to renewables, improve grid reliability, […]

Executive Summary. The UK Spring Statement 2025, delivered on March 26, brings significant construction-related news: a £600 million training package for 60,000 workers, £2 billion for affordable housing, and a push toward 1.5 million new homes. For Northern Ireland, these measures don’t directly apply due to devolved powers, but funding boosts via the Barnett Formula […]

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day had a different kind of resonance—quieter, perhaps, but no less significant. For decades, the day has served as a powerful expression of Irish identity, especially in America. It’s a sea of green, a celebration of heritage, and for many, a reaffirmation of a cultural and political bond with Ireland’s nationalist […]

Comparing the planning and building times for major infrastructure projects in China and the UK reveals stark differences, driven by distinct political systems, planning processes, and approaches to development. While comprehensive, project-by-project data is limited, evidence from key examples and broader trends highlights these disparities. In China, major infrastructure projects are often completed at an […]

Wealth creation is based on the above simple premis. It has been lost. It has become a hand out, not a hand up mentality. Over the past decade, the UK, including Northern Ireland, has indeed experienced a prolonged period of austerity measures, largely stemming from efforts to reduce public spending and address fiscal deficits following […]

  Saint Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland,[10] Northern Ireland,[11] the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (for provincial government employees), and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated by the Irish diaspora around the world, especially in Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia, […]

Building a Sustainable Future: The Bright Path Forward with FP McCann Ltd In the ever-evolving world of construction and manufacturing, one company stands out as a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and growth—FP McCann Ltd. With a rich history rooted in excellence and a forward-thinking approach to meeting modern challenges, FP McCann is not just shaping […]

Below is an action list for reforming the public sector in Northern Ireland, including both government departments and local councils, drawing inspiration from the general approach of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The DOGE, as proposed, aims to reduce inefficiencies, cut costs, and streamline operations across federal agencies, with a focus on eliminating […]

Determining a direct correlation between Northern Ireland Executive decision-making and upcoming elections, specifically the 2027 Northern Ireland Assembly election, to maximize votes for certain political parties is inherently speculative, as it involves predicting future political strategies and voter behavior. However, historical patterns, current political dynamics, and the strategic use of public policy and infrastructure projects […]