‘Are all public projects doomed to cost overruns?”
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In today’s Irish Times (28 September), Martin Wall has an interesting article, posing the question – ‘Are all public projects doomed to cost overruns?” *? ?I am pleased that the article includes some quotations from my work in this area. I am of the belief that not all public projects are doomed to cost overruns. It should be recalled that the motorway network came on time and within budget, as pointed out by Professor Eoin Reeves of University Limerick. But it requires challenging work to avoid overrun in cost and going beyond the completion timetables set for public projects. A necessary first step is to ensure that the comprehensive set of new infrastructure guidelines introduced by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform earlier this year are taken fully into account. The next steps require rigorous enforcement of the guidelines by departments and by public bodies, at the distinct stages sit-down for project delivery. Projects should only be allowed to proceed when they get the “green light” at each evaluation stage. In addition, departments and public bodies should be challenged regularly to demonstrate that the new guidelines are being fully implemented.
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