Byrne Wallace Shields Launches National Development Plan Legal Service Office

New service office will support the delivery of €275 billion investment programme

Byrne Wallace Shields LLP has today launched a dedicated National Development Plan Legal Service Office, a multidisciplinary legal service designed to support public bodies, developers, investors, contractors, lenders and other stakeholders involved in delivering projects under Ireland's National Development Plan 2026–2035.

The new offering was formally launched today at our Dublin offices by Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, TD.

With €275 billion allocated across housing, transport, healthcare, energy, water and other critical infrastructure, the National Development Plan represents one of the most significant public investment programmes in the history of the State. Its successful delivery will require collaboration across the public and private sectors, alongside careful navigation of an increasingly complex legal and regulatory landscape.

The new NDP Legal Service Office service will assist organisations involved in the planning, financing, procurement, development and operation of projects across a range of sectors, including housing, transport, energy, utilities, healthcare and social infrastructure.

Bringing together specialists from across the firm's procurement, planning and environment, projects and infrastructure, construction, banking and finance, corporate, public sector, employment, regulatory, health infrastructure and litigation teams, the NDP Legal Service Office provides clients with coordinated legal support throughout the lifecycle of major infrastructure and development projects.

Commenting on the launch, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, TD, said:

"The National Development Plan represents a significant investment in Ireland's future, supporting the delivery of essential infrastructure, housing, healthcare, transport and energy projects that will benefit communities across the country. Achieving the ambitions of the Plan will require collaboration across the public and private sectors, supported by strong governance, effective project delivery and expert advice. I welcome Byrne Wallace Shields LLP's establishment of a dedicated National Development Plan Legal Service Office and wish the team every success in supporting those involved in delivering this important programme."

Commenting on the launch, Feargal Brennan, Managing Partner, Byrne Wallace Shields LLP, said:

"Delivering projects of the scale envisioned under the NDP requires effective collaboration between public bodies, private sector organisations and funding partners.

At Byrne Wallace Shields LLP, we recognise that clients need access to legal advice that is integrated, practical and aligned to the realities of project delivery. Our new NDP Legal Service Office brings together expertise from across the firm to help clients successfully navigate the opportunities and challenges associated with major infrastructure and development projects."

The National Development Plan Legal Service Office focuses on the following key areas

• Planning, Environment and Climate
• Projects, Procurement, Infrastructure and Construction
• Energy, Utilities, Transport and Climate Transition
• Housing, Healthcare and Social Infrastructure
• Finance, Investment and Corporate Structuring
• Public Sector Governance, Employment and Regulation

The multidisciplinary team will advise government departments, local authorities, state agencies, semi-state bodies, developers, approved housing bodies, contractors, utilities, financial institutions, investment funds and other stakeholders participating in projects connected to the National Development Plan.

Byrne Wallace Shields LLP has extensive experience advising on some of Ireland's most significant infrastructure, development and public sector projects and believes its cross-practice approach is particularly well suited to supporting the complex and interconnected nature of National Development Plan delivery.

For more information, please visit our dedicated service office webpage or contact a member of the team.