Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and the Department for Infrastructure's Chief Planner Rosemary Daly received recognition as Women of Influence for 2026. The selection occurred on International Women’s Day 2026 following nominations and assessments by judges from the planning sector.

Interim Permanent Secretary Declan McGeown congratulated Kimmins and Daly. He noted their leadership in planning system reforms with support from the department's planning group and local councils over the past year. McGeown stated that work improved system performance through regular engagement at all levels. He said Kimmins and Daly aim for an effective and efficient planning system important to many aspects of life in Northern Ireland.

Kimmins addressed infrastructure challenges slowing housing delivery in Tyrone at the Beyond ’26 Live conference in Cookstown. The event gathered developers, planners and public bodies to discuss accelerating housing construction. Wastewater capacity appeared as a key barrier.

Kimmins stated there are no quick fixes to infrastructure challenges in Northern Ireland, especially wastewater capacity. She called continued engagement with the house-building sector essential to understand challenges and identify solutions.

NI Water received more than £500 million in public funding this year, about 92 percent of its request. Kimmins and her predecessor allocated £30 million ringfenced for wastewater capacity, unlocking capacity for around 5,300 properties. This exceeded the 4,500 homes targeted under the Price Control 21 programme to 2028, though it is only 2026.

The second quarter of 2025 recorded the highest number of new housing starts since 2018 in Northern Ireland. Construction output hit a 15-year high then.

Kimmins outlined a strategy including additional wastewater investment from Executive colleagues, developer contributions and legislation for sustainable drainage systems. Local councils handle more than 99 percent of planning applications.