Politician(s) lobbied: Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Finance
Intent: To support Government in addressing procurement barriers that hinder infrastructure delivery, thereby contributing to the achievement of national housing and infrastructure objectives.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
The Letter highlights that the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan identified procurement challenges as one of the leading barriers to infrastructure development in Ireland. The RIAI expresses alignment with Government that targeted procurement reform is essential to achieving national housing and infrastructure goals. The RIAI has developed a Public Procurement Reform White Paper, informed by member consultation, containing pragmatic policy recommendations. Sent 9/1/26
Politician(s) lobbied: James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: To secure Government action to introduce statutory protection of the title “Architectural Technologist,” ensure appropriate regulation of the profession within the built‑environment sector, and provide clarity for consumers, employers, and public bodies regarding the competence and responsibilities associated with the role.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
This meeting took place at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage at Custom House D01 W6X0 on 2/4/26 at 9:30am. Kathryn Meghen, RIAI CEO, Frank Turvey RIAI Registrar, Shane Santry, Pat Kirwan, Liam Harding (Housing), John McDonald (Housing) and Derek Molyneux (Housing) were in attendance.
Politician(s) lobbied: Hildegarde Naughton (Minister of State), Department of Education
Intent: To obtain clarity on the status, prioritisation, and timelines for school building projects at all stages of development; to highlight the impact of delays on project delivery, business cashflow, and resourcing; to seek confirmation that projects at tender, pre‑construction, and early design stages will continue to progress; and to request improved communication and engagement to support stable delivery of the schools’ capital programme.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
A letter addressed to Hildegarde Naughton, TD Minister for Education and Youth was sent via email to hildegarde.naughton@oireachtas.ieon 25 February 2026. The letter dislcosed the RIAI's response to the recent announcement of NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth sectors in the period 2026 to 2030.The RIAI, ACEI, EI and SCSI members have raised concerns about the capital projects that are not currently listed.
Politician(s) lobbied: Hildegarde Naughton (Minister of State), Department of Education
Intent: To obtain clarity on the status, prioritisation, and timelines for school building projects at all stages of development; to highlight the impact of delays on project delivery, business cashflow, and resourcing; to seek confirmation that projects at tender, pre‑construction, and early design stages will continue to progress; and to request improved communication and engagement to support stable delivery of the schools’ capital programme.
Methods: Letter
Details by Method
Letter
A letter addressed to Hildegarde Naughton, TD Minister for Education and Youth was sent via email to hildegarde.naughton@oireachtas.ieon 25 February 2026. The letter dislcosed the RIAI's response to the recent announcement of NDP Sectoral Investment Plan for the Education and Youth sectors in the period 2026 to 2030.The RIAI, ACEI, EI and SCSI members have raised concerns about the capital projects that are not currently listed.
Politician(s) lobbied: Frank Feighan (Minister of State), Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform
Intent: To secure improvements to public‑sector procurement, including mandating the use of procurement guidance, fixing design fees at the end of Stage 2b, ensuring regular publication of project pipelines, reviewing contract forms including the potential use of the RIAI Contract in CWMF reform, strengthening engagement with the architectural profession, and increasing the use of architectural design competitions to support capacity and design quality
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation and eGovernment, Frank Feighan, Kathryn Meghen, RIAI CEO and Fionnuala May, RIAI President were in attendance. The meeting took place on Thursday, 26 March at 10:30am at Merrion Street Dept. Finance South Block- D02R583.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: Strengthen evidence‑based housing policy by providing a comprehensive, up‑to‑date reference of 100 real projects across Ireland.Support higher design and sustainability standards through the expert essays and documented best practices.Accelerate decision‑making by offering a consolidated resource that reduces duplication of research across agencies and practitioners.Promote innovation and consistency in housing delivery by showcasing replicable models and approaches.
Methods: Event / Reception
Details by Method
Event / Reception
A formal book launch for New Housing 3, took place at No.8 Merrion Square December 6th at 2pm.Representatives and Ministers from the Department Housing, Local Government and Heritage were in attendance. Minister James Browne TD, gave a speech via video message.
Politician(s) lobbied: Eoin Ó Broin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul McAuliffe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: To reform public procurement policy. ::To reform public procurement policy.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
A meeting took place on November 6th in the Alliance Francaise on Kildare Street. Neasa Hourigan, RIAI Policy Officer, met with Eoin O'Broin TD, to provide a briefing on Public Procurement policy.
Meeting
Kathryn Meghen, CEO and Neasa Hourigan, RIAI Policy Officer, met with Paul MacAuliffe TD, on the 2nd December, at No.8 Merrion Square, to provide a briefing on Public Procurement policy.
Politician(s) lobbied: James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: For the title of 'Architectural Technologist' to be registered and protected.
Methods: Virtual Meeting
Details by Method
Virtual Meeting
On Thursday 20 November, an online, Architectural Technologist Register meeting was held by the RIAI.The following people from the RIAI were in attendance, Frank Turvey, Kathryn Meghen, Vincent Traynor and Sandra Campbell. The following members from The Department of Housing, were also in attendance, Aobh Hyland, Kevin Delaney and Colm Cahalan.
Politician(s) lobbied: Richard Shakespeare (Chief Executive Officer), Dublin City Council; Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; James Browne (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Intent: To secure additional resources and capacity for planning and procurement functions in order to speed up project delivery timelines and achieve improved outcomes. ::To encourage a stronger policy focus on developing a long term, integrated forward planning structure that supports coordinated decision making and sustainable outcomes.::To secure staffing and resourcing of architectural and planning functions in local authorities to support housing delivery.::Registration of the title of Architectural Technologist.::To encourage a stronger policy focus on Procurement and Standards of Design.
Methods: MeetingLetter
Details by Method
Meeting
Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2, D02 R583. June 3rd 2025 10am.To discuss improved resourcing of planning and procurement.
Letter
Letter sent to Mr. Jack Chambers TD, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.July 1st 2025Addressing concerns about Procurements and Standards of Design.
Letter
Letter sent to Mr. James Browne TD,Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Department of Housing, Local Government and HeritageAugust 15th 2025.Advocating for the registration of the title of Architectural Technologist
Letter
Letter sent to Minister James BrowneDepartment for Housing, Local Government & Heritage, by email to : jamesbrowne@oireachtas.ie20 June 2025Regarding employment of Architectural authorities in local authorities.
Meeting
The meeting is in the CE Conference Room which is Block 4, Floor 4, Civic Offices. June 10th 9:45am.To discuss long term integrated forward planning structures.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jack O’Donnell (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach
Intent: A meeting with the Tánaiste to share RIAI policy priorities
Methods: Informal communication
Details by Method
Informal communication
No description
