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.

An extra €8.5bn has been allocated to roads from 2005-2009 under a new Department of Transport Multi-Annual Capital Framework.

“This is a significant allocation and may be updated in future Budgets,” a Department of Finance spokesman said.

This extra €8.5bn budget will ensure the NDP roads programme is well underway or completed by 2009, a Department of Transport spokeswoman said.

It is not clear if a new NDP will be brought in when this one expires in 2006, but the Multi-Annual Capital Frameworks, that have been given to Government departments over five years, may replace it.

The Department of Transport is the only Government department that has received a 10-year Multi-Annual Capital Framework, to allow for long-term planning.

Transport Minister Martin Cullen yesterday rejected the IEI’s claims that more funding was needed to ensure the NDP was not seven years over target.

Mr Cullen said the NDP’s current economic capacity had been reached and this precluded any further cash injections in this plan.

Mr Cullen also defended the NDP and said it had made a huge difference to the country.

Environment Minister Dick Roche has confirmed that new proposals to fast-track major public building projects will be brought before Cabinet shortly. The IEI had called for the Strategic Infrastructure Bill - which would allow for major public projects to be fast-tracked - to be reintroduced to tackle the country’s competitiveness problems.

Mr Roche withdrew this bill before Christmas after ministers objected to waste projects - such as incinerators - being included.

The Department of the Environment could not say yesterday if waste projects would be included in the revised bill.