Capital spending plan: ‘We are not spending the money of future governments’

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has insisted that the Coalition is not spending future governments’ money to win over voters now after launching a multibillion-euro Dublin Airport rail link to the city centre — which will not be completed until 2027.

The Fine Gael TD insisted the measure is about ensuring the public’s long-term interests are prioritised above short-term political success.

Under a high-profile project which forms the centre-piece of the Government’s 2016-21 capital plan announced yesterday, the Coalition will spend €2.432bn on a light rail link between Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre.