Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for the clarity he has brought to this matter. I have known for years that the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, is not shy, particularly at Christmas, but I saw his photograph some time ago in the newspaper and he looked like Napoleon in a hard hat when the giant underground cutter broke through at the port tunnel. He proclaimed victory on behalf of the people of Dublin as he single-handedly achieved this wonderful breakthrough. Given that he will be known as the Minster for fantasy in terms of transport, does the Taoiseach propose to speak to him about such wild announcements which are based on guess work? Despite all the remarks he made, he never referred to outside greater Dublin.

Will the Taoiseach elaborate on his views regarding an outer relief road for Dublin, which has been mooted for many years? Is there room in these proposals for any other part of the country? For instance, the former Minister for Transport, Deputy Séamus Brennan, who was equally good at making announcements, stated it would cost €300 million to reopen the western rail corridor between Sligo and Ennis. Will that ever appear at the Cabinet table? What about the south east, south and south west which have not been mentioned by the Minister for fantasy?

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