Simon Harris says lack of infrastructure could become a ‘drag’ on Ireland’s competitiveness

Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking at the US-Ireland Economic Summit at the US Ambassador’s residence in Dublin. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA

The Irish prime minister has said a shortage of homes and a need to invest in Ireland’s infrastructure risk being a “drag” on its competitiveness as the country attempts to lure more foreign investment.

Simon Harris said it was time to “cut through bureaucracy … and other things that stifle the delivery” of infrastructure, at a US-Ireland summit at the American ambassador’s residence in Dublin on Tuesday.