Capital, confidence and delivery in focus at Byrne Wallace Shields Property, Infrastructure & Investment Convention

Industry leaders examine the investment and delivery challenge facing Ireland’s built environment

Byrne Wallace Shields LLP welcomed senior figures from Ireland’s property, infrastructure and investment sectors to Croke Park on Tuesday, 3 November for its 6th Annual Property, Infrastructure & Investment Convention, in association with Property Industry Ireland.

Under the theme “Capital, Confidence & Delivery: Ireland’s Built Environment at an Inflection Point”, the Convention opened with a keynote address from Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

Minister Chambers noted that:

“The greatest risk to Ireland's future isn’t a lack of ambition. It is a failure to deliver. The infrastructure projects we are discussing today will shape our economy for decades to come. They will determine whether businesses choose to invest here, whether families can access housing and whether Ireland remains competitive in a rapidly changing world". 

Presentations followed from Dermot O'Leary, Chief Economist, Goodbody; Richard Shakespeare, Chief Executive, Dublin City Council; Feargal O'Rourke, Chair, IDA Ireland and member of the Accelerating Infrastructure Taskforce; and Douglas Rowlands, Senior Director of Client Portfolio Management, Invesco Real Estate. 

Three panels on Property, Infrastructure and Capital, moderated by Byrne Wallace Shields partners Neil Dunne, Fergal Ruane and David Naughton, featured the LDA, Castlethorn, Irish Life Investment Managers, Ballymore Ireland, AtkinsRéalis Ireland, TII, Equinix Ireland, ISIF, Unio, BNY Ireland and TírNua Capital Partners. 

Speaking about the event, Michael Walsh, Partner and Chair of Property at Byrne Wallace Shields LLP, said:

"We came in talking about three subjects – property, infrastructure and capital – and we leave talking about one system. Delivering housing and infrastructure at scale needs private capital alongside the State. That capital will only come, and stay, where investors have confidence in our frameworks and our ability to deliver.

The constraints – grid and infrastructure capacity, apartment viability and workforce – won’t be solved by a conference. But they are solved faster when those who hold the land, the capital and the rules are in the same conversation".

Byrne Wallace Shields thanks all speakers, panellists and guests.

Convention Highlights