Mr. Fergal O'Brien:

The document we have presented today is only an element of our policy priorities around the all-island economy and the road investment for same. We see this year's mid-term review of the capital investment plan as an opportunity to put forward priorities on a much broader range of issues. As part of that we have lots to say about light rail and public transport. That investment is needed.

I share the vast majority of the views expressed by the Deputy. In many ways, we have tried to deliver the 20th century solutions that were never finished in terms of the needs of the economy. We also need to get on and address the 21st century solutions in terms of how we develop our cities, have smarter cities and have integrated public transport. We did not finish the job in terms of the basics of road infrastructure, which must be addressed. It is not the only part of the solution but it plays an important role.

Let us consider the quality of road infrastructure between our second and third cities of Cork and Galway. Most European countries had reached that standard in the post-war era and maybe beforehand. The infrastructure is simply not fit for purpose. If one considers the road connectivity to the north west one will realise that it is simply not fit for purpose. If one considers the dynamic that we created with the last capital investment plan before the crash, in terms of all of the roads and motorways leading to Dublin, we think that has been a significant contribution to the current spatial imbalance.

I agree with the Deputy about an investment plan. We will be putting those views forward in our mid-term review of the capital plan. It needs to be much broader than roads. We will have lots to say about those. In the context of finishing a road plan that was started when we had money in the 1990s, this is still the priority and needs to be finished. We need at the same time to move on with public transport and the more sustainable development of our cities. The UK has been effective in generating strong debate about its northern powerhouse. If we are serious about having a counterbalance to Dublin and an Atlantic corridor effect, that has to be underpinned by road development that will be of the 20th century standard that is not there now.