The David McWilliams Podcast Why Do Good People Make Bad Decisions?
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Mar 27, 2025 The discussion dives into Dublin's housing crisis and how well-meaning policies have stalled progress. It questions why modern infrastructure projects move so slowly compared to past achievements like Ardnanacrusha. Topics include the impact of over-regulation, NIMBYism, and the complexities of renewable energy development. The podcast also highlights the need for drastic political reform to enable swift progress, drawing comparisons with other countries' efficient systems. It's a call for a Second Irish Republic that can unleash potential.
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Ardnacrusha Power Plant
- The Ardnacrusha power plant, built in 1927, showcased Ireland's commitment to modernization.
- Despite limited resources, it became the world's largest hydroelectric dam, powering 88% of Ireland with renewable energy by 1934.
Turlock Hill Power Plant
- Siemens also built the innovative Turlock Hill power plant in Wicklow in the 1960s, further demonstrating Ireland's engineering prowess.
- This pumped-storage hydroelectricity plant efficiently generated renewable energy by moving water between reservoirs.
Well-Intentioned Obstacles
- Well-intentioned individuals and governments create unnecessary obstacles, hindering essential infrastructure projects.
- This affects housing, climate change infrastructure, and transport, impacting quality of life and affordability.