Infrastructure Minister has commended 20 years of
collaboration across the island as she joined International
Centre for Local and Regional Development (ICLRD) to celebrate
this milestone.
Speaking at a conference in Dundalk, Minister Kimmins said: “Over
the last 20 years, ICLRD's work has strengthened relationships,
informed better decision making and created space for shared
solutions to shared challenges.
“ICLRD continues to bring together planners, policymakers and
communities to think beyond boundaries and will continue to play
a vital role in shaping a more connected, sustainable and
resilient future,
“Although infrastructure is very often spoken about in terms of
roads, rail, water and buildings, I see my role as Infrastructure
Minister as being very much about people and believe that people
are at the heart of our infrastructure as we build more
resilience for the future.
“The work of my Department is therefore not simply about building
infrastructure but about enabling better environments for where
we live. Our work is woven into everyday life, from the
safety of our roads and the resilience of our water systems to
active travel, public transport and planning the connectivity
that sustains communities.
"If the last 20 years have demonstrated the value of cooperation,
the next 20 years must be defined by deeper collaboration–
ensuring that infrastructure, planning and policy work together
to improve the lives of people across this island.”
