Mr. Ray O'Leary:

Deputy Catherine Murphy referred to sources of funding. Irrespective of the source of funding, the basic elements of the fiscal framework remain in place at European level. The committee will have to forgive me because this is outside the general area of roads, but my understanding is that the European Investment Bank has environmentally-related goals among its priorities in the context of various projects, including those related to climate change. Although that may be the case, we will be constrained by the overall level of borrowing available, irrespective of the source.

It has been the experience that apparently clever ways of getting off-balance-sheet seldom turn out to be that clever in the long run. The key criteria for decisions on investment will remain the same. We continue to work closely with the European Investment Bank to identify opportunities where the bank can assist in appropriate investments.

Deputy Murphy also referred to the national mitigation plan. It is a national mitigation plan that will include agricultural sectoral elements, as well as transport. The framework set by the legislation is for a national mitigation plan, but with the sectoral elements put together. Clearly, when we are considering the question of emissions, it is the overall impact of emissions that is most important. We are working on making our contribution to that plan. The consultation process will be critical. We hope to have it published before the end of the year as a draft. The Government is committed to publication of the draft before Christmas. Separate inputs are being prepared by those in the agriculture, built environment and power generation sectors. The process is being led by the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Clearly, this is challenging. We continue to work on the preparation of the transport contribution to be put together with the rest.

There are some ancillary initiatives. The Minister launched a public consultation initiative last week to develop a draft national policy framework on alternative fuels infrastructure with a view to removing barriers that exist towards greater uptake of low-emissions vehicles. Profound changes to transport systems will be required if we are to contribute to our national policy vision of a low-carbon economy. Indeed, it is fair to say that may of the possible tools to support that goal are not necessarily at the disposal of the Department. This will require a whole-of-Government effort and will require looking at it from a fiscal and economic framework. This will not only be about transport. Land use and planning will contribute to a low-carbon future in the transport sector as well. These are significant challenges and we are trying to be part of it at national level.

Some general points were made. Senator Ó Céidigh mentioned the framework for investment. I have referred to that. Our first priority is to ensure that we do not lose the infrastructure we have, although I have noted that there are gaps. Deputies and Senators have referred to several of these gaps. A point was made about finance as well. I will leave it to my colleagues to discuss national roads.

Reference was made to the mid-term review of the capital plan. It is not possible to give guarantees at this point, simply because the process is really only starting next year. The process will be led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The terms of the capital plan have not yet been set, never mind the position relating to the kind of resources that might be available. There continue to be many competing resources.

The committee members will be aware of the increased level of global economic uncertainty. It is not only a question of resources in terms of capital expenditure. Current expenditure is relevant as well, especially in light of the completing demands around social services like health and education, as well as the challenging situation in respect of housing. We will be making a robust case. We will highlight the critical nature of transport infrastructure to our national competitiveness in a more challenging economic environment.

The Chairman mentioned the additional resources made available this year. Ultimately, decisions on allocations to Departments are a matter for Government and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. While it is not possible for me to comment on the priorities, clearly, a range of other national priorities exist. Additional funding has been made available to the Department. We have been a strong Department in case-making for additional resources if they become available over the course of the year. Significant additional resources were secured earlier this year to address storm damage. We always end up looking as if we have done worse when comparing the allocation for the year coming to the out-turn for the current year. That is because we have been strong in making the case to get additional resources in the current year. Clearly, it is challenging. Equally, there are many competing, critical and important demands within the transport Vote relating to public transport and the tourism and sports sector. These are is smaller in scale but equally of value, as committee members are aware.

I suspect I may have missed some of the points.