Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the motorway approaching it, there are two contracts under way, one starting in Tuam and the other in Gort, which is hoped will meet half way. If they do not, we will have two motorways. People will driving on that motorway at the back end of this year. There are other large projects in the pipeline. I agree with the general principle behind Deputy Sherlock's question, namely, that we need more investment in infrastructure and to find the resources for that. While the capital programme is under way and it is stronger than it was, it will be revised because extra resources are available now. That will be done in the course of this year. The additional bit I would like to put in place would be off-balance sheet financing through the European Investment Bank at low interest rates in respect of big infrastructural projects that would have an income flow. We will see how that works out. I am not promising anything. All I am saying is that it is worth exploring.