In the second of our two-part series we’re looking at how Ireland’s transport and infrastructure projects aim to support growth, mobility productivity. SYSTRA works across the whole lifecycle of projects, and one of our newest members of the team in Ireland, Jean-Michel Najarre, Engineering Lead, takes us through how our ambitions are in line with Ireland’s.
Read on to find out more, and listen in full to the SYSTRAcast episode via the links below.
Ireland has a proud history of delivering successful transport projects, but significant work remains and it must now be delivered at pace.
I have seen this firsthand in my first few months in the country. From buses that still do not accept contactless payments to housing shortages, the challenges are visible and they are affecting people across society.
Ireland must now move decisively into the development and delivery phase. The urgency is clear: to meet environmental commitments, ensure infrastructure keeps pace with population growth, and support the country’s economic ambitions, all in alignment with the National Development Plan.
As SYSTRA’s Rail Engineering Lead for Ireland, I am genuinely excited to roll up my sleeves and help drive this next phase, while continuing to develop our talented engineering team in Ireland. Many of our engineers have worked on some of the world’s most complex infrastructure projects, from tunnels and bridges to transit networks and energy facilities. With experience across every stage of the project lifecycle and spanning multiple infrastructure sectors, we bring global expertise to local challenges, helping clients and communities achieve innovative and sustainable outcomes.
In Ireland, we are building on decades of experience in the early project stages, with modelling and analysis among the team’s core strengths. This is complemented by a deep engineering pedigree shaped by projects delivered around the world.
I became an engineer because I wanted to make a difference. I love the challenge of designing and building, but what matters most to me is improving people’s lives: enhancing neighbourhoods, strengthening communities, and creating better connections between them. Just as importantly, I am committed, as is SYSTRA, to ensuring that sustainability sits at the heart of that work.
Ireland’s membership of the EU and its legally binding carbon emissions targets provide a clear sense of direction, and there is still significant progress to be made. The path to net zero is about more than meeting climate obligations. It is about unlocking economic growth, strengthening communities, improving wellbeing and air quality, and creating better connections for everyone.
Meeting these challenges will require action not only in Ireland’s five major cities, but also in smaller towns and rural communities, where investment can transform everyday life. With significant funding now reaching the local level, there is a real opportunity to deliver meaningful change across the country.
At SYSTRA in the UK and Ireland, we have grown alongside Ireland’s ambitions and supported governments in setting clear strategic objectives for sustainable infrastructure. Now the emphasis must be on delivery. My colleagues and I are ready to bring our skills, experience and energy to help Ireland create the networks and systems that will support a thriving, well-connected and low-carbon future for decades to come.
Listen to Jean-Michel’s SYSTRAcast episode here.
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