John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Rourke for outlining his curriculum vitae. His experience makes him eminently suitable. Given his experience in funding projects, does he see public private partnerships playing a key role in the future?

I questioned Mr. Fred Barry, who was before the committee two weeks ago, on the funding of projects, in particular the Gort to Athenry road. His response was that, while the project was included in the announcement of last year's stimulus package, it is contingent on the sale of assets. If the sale of those assets does not go ahead as quickly as planned, does that mean the project will be delayed?

Mr. O'Rouke said that we also have a great deal of work to do to improve those roads that are not up to standard. I think we have many of those types of roads in the west, but will Mr. O'Rouke describe what he means by "those" roads. I am concerned by his statement on the maintenance of the motorways and that the funding is €100 million short. Effectively, if there is a shortfall for the maintenance of motorways, is there any provision for the maintenance of secondary routes or will they revert to dirt tracks in the next few years?

When Mr. Barry last came before the committee I put to him the legacy issues arising from the construction of motorways, the snag list, the lack of accountability and the relationship with the local authorities, the grey areas such as flooding, where individuals are being sent from local authorities to the NRA and back again with no resolution of the issue.