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Infrastructure projects often languish in complex, sequential consenting processes that stall housing and economic development. Planners and utility providers face an uphill battle to align long-term strategic needs with immediate construction requirements.

This episode explores the integrated approach of Uisce Éireann and the critical role of early engagement and cross-agency collaboration in building resilient communities.

Joining us is Olwyn James, the Senior Planning, Land, and Utilities Manager at Uisce Éireann. She draws on over two decades of experience in local authority planning and architectural conservation to explain the realities of managing national infrastructure delivery.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Uisce Éireann infrastructure delivery and planning system integration
Addressing decades of under-investment in critical water assets
Complex consenting regimes and the need for reform
Early engagement strategies between agencies and developers
The importance of high-quality design in utility infrastructure

GUEST DETAILS

Olwyn James serves as the Senior Planning, Land, and Utilities Manager at Uisce Éireann. With a career spanning over 20 years, she has transitioned from local authority planning and architectural conservation into her current role leading complex infrastructure delivery. Her work focuses on navigating consenting regimes, national infrastructure delivery, and strategic site acquisition.

QUOTES

Planning might be a little bit narrow in its thinking, and maybe people who go into planning it could really do with a dose of healthy diversity. - Olwyn James

There is a responsibility across the board around thinking what is it we want, what is our policy directive here, what are our objectives, what's the plan. - Olwyn James

"I think the system as a whole needs to improve in how it's communicating with applicants around what are the steps, what is happening, what's going to happen next. - Olwyn James

PODCAST HOST DETAILS

Dr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning.
With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast."

Professionals and enthusiasts alike seeking to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland.
As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession.
Find out more: https://ipi.ie/

ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTE

The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues.

Find out more:

https://ipi.ie/

The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.io

KEYWORDS

#IrishInfrastructure #DeliveryPlanning #WaterInfrastructure #UisceÉireann #PlanningReform

Shape Future Episodes: Share your topic and guest suggestions for the podcast via our short listener feedback form.

Infrastructure and housing delivery requires seamless coordination between public policy and local authority execution.

We explore the transition from professional planning to senior local government leadership, focusing on how the Planning and Development Act 2024 empowers long-term development. We discuss the necessity of resourcing, the strategic importance of 10-year plans, and how to balance infrastructure, economic growth, and public trust.

Our guest is Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council. With a distinguished career in planning, he offers a unique perspective on the intersection of strategic management and physical planning.

He joins us as a respected colleague to share insights on how the sector can navigate the pressures of modern local government

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Career path into senior leadership
Implementing Planning and Development Act
Front loading pre planning processes
Balancing municipal district needs
Future of 10 year plans

QUOTES

Planners make recommendations for decision makers to make decisions. Those of us who transition into that decision making space will realise the importance in making a decision. - Liam Conneally

The integrity of the planning system, the role of the regulator in that system is important. From that point of view, the Irish planning system, is probably one of the most open and transparent systems in the world. - Liam Conneally

We care for, in particular the spoken language, because we know in Galway that in our county and also in Galway City, over 50% of the daily Irish speakers live in our jurisdictions. - Liam Conneally

GUEST DETAILS

Liam Conneally is the Chief Executive of Galway County Council and Chair of the County and City Management Associations Planning and Land Use Committee. He brings decades of experience to his role as the first local authority chief executive to rise directly from the planning profession. His expertise includes capital delivery, organizational management, and public service innovation.

Connect with the Irish Planning Institute:

Website: ipi.ie

Podfollow: podfollow.com/ipi

Search podcast player: "IPI Planners Podcast"

PODCAST HOST DETAILS

Dr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning.

With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast."

Professionals and enthusiasts alike seek to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland.

As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession.

Find out more: https://ipi.ie/

ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTE

The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good.

Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues.

Find out more:

https://ipi.ie/

The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.io

KEYWORDS #PlanningReform #UrbanStrategy #LocalGovernance #InfrastructureDelivery #StrategicPlanning

Shape Future Episodes: Share your topic and guest suggestions for the podcast via our short listener feedback form.

The planning system is often perceived as complex and adversarial, presenting barriers to development and public satisfaction. Success requires overcoming these challenges by embedding continuous improvement and promoting a culture where planners act as facilitators, not barriers.

This episode explores the Department for Infrastructure’s (DFI) central role in setting strategic direction and its priorities, including the Planning Improvement Programme and the complex timeline for Local Development Plans. We discuss the increasing legislative complexity, resourcing, and the potential for mutual learning through cross-border collaboration.
Host Sean O'Leary is joined by Rosemary Daly, Northern Ireland’s Chief Planner, and Philip McGowan, Joint Head of Regional Planning Policy with the Department for Infrastructure.

THINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT

Planning is a cognitive, creative process
DFI's central leadership role explained
Improving efficiency via the planning programme
Complexity challenges and judicial process
Cross-border professional learning and growth

QUOTES

Good planning is fundamentally a cognitive discipline before it becomes a technical one. - Philip McGowan

The thing that really attracts me to planning is there is something for everyone. - Rosemary Daly

I see planning, especially policy planning, as a creative, deep thinking cognitive process. - Philip McGowan

The big takeaway for me is the more we work together, the better we will achieve in the world of planning. - Rosemary Daly

GUEST DETAILS

Rosemary Daly is Chief Planner and Director of Regional Planning, Governance, and Legislation at the Department for Infrastructure (DFI). She has almost thirty years of planning experience, including private consultancy and eighteen years as a commissioner at the Planned Appeals Commission. Her skills include insight into development delivery and a passion for planning's link to community.

Philip McGowan is a Principal Planner and Joint Head of Regional Planning Policy at DFI. He is a policy expert, instrumental in delivering the Strategic Planning Policy Statement and creating new policy for safeguarding established residential areas.

Connect with the Irish Planning Institute:

Website: ipi.ie

Podfollow: podfollow.com/ipi

Search podcast player: "IPI Planners Podcast"

PODCAST HOST DETAILS

Dr. Sean O'Leary MIPI is a highly respected Senior Planner at the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) and a key voice in the field of Irish planning.

With extensive experience and a deep understanding of planning policy and practice, Dr. O'Leary brings a wealth of knowledge to "The Planners' Podcast."

Professionals and enthusiasts alike seek to navigate the complexities of urban and rural development in Ireland.
As a member of the Irish Planning Institute (MIPI), Dr. O'Leary demonstrates a commitment to the highest standards of the planning profession.

Find out more: https://ipi.ie/

ABOUT THE IRISH PLANNING INSTITUTE

The Irish Planning Institute (IPI) is the all-island professional body for planners in Ireland, dedicated to advancing the field of physical, spatial, and environmental planning for the common good. Established in 1975, the IPI plays a vital role in shaping sustainable development across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Through its diverse membership, which includes professionals from public, private, and academic sectors, the IPI offers a unified voice on critical planning issues.

Find out more:

https://ipi.ie/

The Planners Podcast is produced for IPI by dustpod.io

KEYWORDS #NorthernIreland #PlanningReform #PolicyPlanning #CrossBorder #PublicInterest