Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I assure Deputy Kenny that all Departments and agencies must now work to the national spatial strategy in their overall planning, as must local authorities. I know there is always controversy when one tries to do something, but one works to the best international standards. It is envisaged that we will need four or five thermal plants for a country with a population of 5 million. In other countries people will have seen that there are practically no emissions. They are in city areas and built to the highest specifications. They have been rigorously examined in those countries and are effectively not political or community issues being reported on with regard to emissions. It is difficult to see how one can resolve those issues.

Regarding broadband, we are doing precisely what Deputy Kenny has said and it is being rolled out nationwide. Having had an admittedly slow start in 1998 and 1999, when some progress was made, we are fast moving forward, and in the last two years enormous strides have been made. In some areas, wireless technology and satellite operate, but in others one has to use what is being rolled out by the rail lines or by some companies that have re-engaged. They had disengaged for a few years because of their great accumulated losses on the 3G licences. However, they are now back working with the Department, and broadband is moving ahead.

Another project with which Deputy Kenny will be familiar is the great deal of work going on in the Atlantic corridor to make it an alternative hub to the east coast and get development into that area over the next decade. That is a good thing and it has been examined regarding roads, transport and electricity. There are some parts of the country, particularly the north west, where the ESB is now focusing on increasing electricity capacity. Otherwise it would not be at the requisite capacity in future. Those are investment decisions, but they have been well analysed. It is a question of their implementation.

There is an identification of the broad areas, though I am not saying everything is done or close to it. There are always pressures, but what is required has been well identified in the spatial strategy and by the various agencies, including electricity, gas, broadband, the Industrial Development Authority and Enterprise Ireland. Although we are spending more on infrastructure in percentage terms than any other country, it is because of rapid growth and deficiencies over many decades, which exert pressure. The identification of the issues is now being well presented in regional policy to try to achieve balance.

That means, as Deputy Kenny knows, a changed position for many rural areas since, as the population increases to its current extent, one reaches saturation point in the east. The spread of population masses around the country is inevitable, and that will bring problems. Recently we witnessed the debate in Laois. I understand the county's problem. On one side, it is now the next hub, while on the other side, it has lovely villages. However, there is an inevitability about increased population and economic growth. It is an issue to which we must face up. It will not make matters easy for the next ten or 15 years, including for political life. As one moves to that population, it is a success story, but it brings with it a great many pressures that would not have been here in the 1970s or 1980s.

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