Sir, – The ambitions of the National Development Plan are to to be lauded, the challenges ahead – increased population, an ageing population and climate change – cannot be addressed in an ad hoc manner. Our societal and economic success will be affected by the future built environment we create. It is therefore not acceptable to just deliver the buildings and infrastructure needed; the Government must be more ambitious and prioritise quality.
Unfortunately our current public procurement systems place little value on quality or innovation. The Government must review its vision for the National Development Plan and put in place all of the structures needed to ensure quality is achieved in all our buildings and in our public realm. – Yours, etc,
KATHRYN MEGHEN,
Chief Executive,
Royal Institute
of the Architects of Ireland,
Merrion Square
Dublin 2.