Taoiseach: Govt prioritised what 'country needs most'

The Government is halting work on Metro North, Metro West, DART Underground, the Navan Rail line, the Thornton Hall prison and the Monaghan to Derry road through Northern Ireland.

Instead the coalition has said it is prioritising what money there is "for capital investment on jobs, schools and hospitals".

The only major transport project to go ahead in the next four years will be to connect the two Luas lines in the capital.

The National Children's Hospital is guaranteed, while 40 new schools will be built and there will be upgrades to 180 others.

A total of €17bn in capital spending will be completed over the next five years.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said this plan is based on what the country can afford right now.

Mr Kenny said: "The Government's plan prioritises resources on critical infrastructure gaps in areas such as health, education and water resources.

"As a result, it has meant that there are fewer resources available for other areas. This is about choosing what the country needs most in the next few years and deferring other projects until resources become available."