Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The figures sound enormous but the five-year plan will cost €10.2 billion. The budget for infrastructure this year alone is more than €2 billion. The levels of expenditure on public transport and the roads programme are enormous.

In reply to Deputy Kenny's important question on the regions, in recent years an unprecedented number of major high quality road projects have been completed. Under the ten-year plan, all the regions will get a fair share of the resources. The final plan must be drawn up but the intention is to build on what has been done in recent years at Port Laoise, Balbriggan, Cavan, Arklow, Donegal, Callan, Nenagh, Blackpool, Croom, Kilmacthomas, Kildare, Watergrasshill, Drogheda, Youghal, Skibbereen, Monasterevin, Ashford, Rathnew, Ballincollig, Cork and Limerick.

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