James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make a general point, and it is important to say it. I compliment the capital works in aviation that have been done in 2022 and last year. It was astonishing what the Department, working with the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, was able to achieve with the new runway being built in Cork Airport in record time and on budget. It is fantastic to see that. I compliment the staff at Cork Airport. Senator Buttimer and I have worked in tandem with them. I also compliment Mr. Dalton Philips, the DAA and the team in Dublin Airport. We were out there recently. It shows that we can build capital infrastructure in the State without problems, because I believe we do ourselves down too much in Irish politics when it comes to capital investment in transport infrastructure. We need to broaden our horizons a little and look at things such as high-speed rail and other opportunities that could make a real and serious impact on the economy and on society. The forecast is good when it comes to how projects are being managed, particularly with the Department of Transport. I am usually critical but I want to compliment that today. I also acknowledge Mr. Ebrill's attendance today. He has been very helpful as well, and I thank him for that.