NI Executive must focus on a year of delivery ahead of election, says CEF

23 March 2026  Events 

A relentless focus on delivery to unlock the key infrastructure challenges that are holding back economic growth was the key message from Mark Spence, Chief Executive of the Construction Employers Federation, to the Northern Ireland Executive at the 2026 Northern Ireland Construction Dinner

 The second annual edition of the event, held at Titanic Belfast on Thursday 19 March and in partnership with Construction Futures, attracted more than five hundred guests as well an array of senior figures from the local construction industry and beyond. The dinner saw a keynote address from Liz Kimmins MLA, Minister for Infrastructure. 
 
Hosted by Pamela Ballantine, the event featured Bernadette Collins, F1 commentator and inspirational trailblazer as after-dinner speaker as well as comedian, presenter and actor Ed Byrne. 
 
In his remarks on the evening, Mark Spence said:
 
Our industry is proud of what we deliver for Northern Ireland- the roads we travel on, the homes, schools, and hospitals our families rely on. But despite our shared best efforts, progress too often feels slow and increasingly - it feels stuck.
 
We are now in the third year of this Assembly mandate. 
 
• We still do not have an independent infrastructure commission to elevate investment priorities beyond silo politics 
• We still do not have a 10-year Investment Strategy to lend confidence to business and investors. 
• We are still waiting for agreement on the much-heralded multi-year capital budget that would assist the businesses in this room to plan, to hire, and to build. 
 
This is not a failure of policy.  We know what needs to be done.  It is a failure of political decision making. The challenge is clear: we need bold thinking and new funding models. 
 
Our industry stands ready - not just to build projects, but to help shape the solutions that move us beyond the current constraints.  That is why, last year, CEF, alongside the NI Chamber and the Federation of Housing Associations, developed a funding proposal for NI Water.  Just £1.25 per week from the average household collected through existing mechanisms- protecting the most vulnerable. 
 
In return, it would begin to: 
• unlock capacity for new businesses 
• address the environmental crisis in our waterways 
• and help move 55,000 homes from planning into construction 
 
What we need now is political courage - and decisions.  We need an Executive that will move beyond short-term political discomfort. Because every year the Executive delays the cost rises.  Every year they hesitate more homes are held back and every year they defer the constraints on our economy intensify
 
Good intentions alone 
• do not build homes, 
• do not lay pipes, 
• and they do not unlock economic investment. 
 
Concluding his remarks, Mr Spence said:
 
Northern Ireland does not lack plans.  It does not lack evidence and reports.  It certainly does not lack capability.  What it lacks is the collective political will to act. 
 
So tonight, the ask is simple. As the political parties move into pre-election mode, can we move beyond talking about the infrastructure deficit- and start deciding to tackle it together. 
 
In the end, the next generation in this room and outside it, won’t judge us by our good intentions- they’ll judge us by the homes we built and the infrastructure we delivered. 
 
If we fail to act,  we are not managing decline- we are choosing it and knowingly.  This industry is not asking for permission to succeed we are asking for the decisions that will let Northern Ireland succeed.
 
At the event, Minister for Infrastructure Liz Kimmins MLA announced the introduction of Developer Contributions for wastewater infrastructure, following her Written Ministerial Statement.
 
“I am steadfast in my commitment to working in partnership with NI Water, Executive colleagues, and the construction sector to deliver innovative solutions to enable the unlocking of more wastewater capacity for development. Introducing a developer contributions scheme will continue to demonstrate my department’s determination to explore a range of approaches to release wastewater capacity for development. 

Developer contributions represent a double opportunity. For developers, they will provide a means to progress some of their projects – including, but not exclusively, residential developments. For prospective homeowners and tenants, it offers the prospect of increased housing supply in areas currently constrained by wastewater limitations.
 
I look forward to further and deeper engagement with all key stakeholders as we work together to develop the necessary primary legislation and hence maximise the choices, opportunities, and benefits that developer contributions for wastewater infrastructure can bring.”
 
On Developer Contributions Mr Spence added:
 
“As we have consistently said, we do not believe developer contributions alone will address the scale of the funding challenge. However, removing the legislative barrier to upgrading NI Water assets is a positive step. It gives developers the ability to make commercial decisions to move projects forward where viable.  We welcome the announcement and look forward to working with you and your Department in the months ahead.”