Dempsey defends bias in favour of road projects

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has defended the Government’s continued bias in favour of roads rather than public transport

Funding of more than €2bn was announced for roads in yesterday’s budget, compared to just €1.3bn for public transport projects.

Mr Dempsey says the bias is deliberate and will continue over the coming years, but the situation will be reversed "in the latter part of Transport 21".

Opposition parties say the move flies in the face of the Government’s alleged support for ‘green’ policies and is promoting car usage over public transport.