Public project costs - Culprits must be held to account

IN his first Budget statement last December, Finance Minister Brian Cowen outlined a transport investment programme of €10.2 billion for 2005 to 2009.

He also announced that funding for transport infrastructure would be done over 10-year periods to ensure better planning.

Given the record of this country in carrying out major public contracts, that figure will, more than likely, bear no relation to the final outcome in 2009.