Government defends funding and record of roads plan

THE Department of Finance last night defended the Government’s record on road spending and rejected claims that an additional €10.5 billion was needed to complete the National Development Plan’s (NDP) roads programme.

The Institution of Engineers of Ireland (IEI) said a review they carried out of the NDP showed €10.5bn more was needed to complete its roads programme.

But the Department of Finance said €6.7bn had been allocated to the NDP, which runs out next year.