Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I do not accept that analysis. The programme for Government sets down plans for every Department, Minister and agency to follow and endeavour to implement. An audit carried out each year on the huge number of areas and initiatives covered by the programme shows what has been completed. It is obvious that everything has not been completed and some initiatives are either more advanced than others or have already been completed.

The national spatial strategy was professionally — not politically — prepared and those involved analysed what will happen in the future. The relevant unit in the Department, various outside consultants, etc., considered the geographical and population changes and the various trends that might occur during the preparation of the strategy, which sets out how those involved see the country developing. The analysis and qualitative work carried out by the Central Statistics Office has also been taken into account.

As regards the rate of progress, the Deputy will be aware that projects often, for one reason or another, take longer to complete than originally envisaged. That is an inevitable consequence of the planning process. I do not have a difficulty with that process but I am of the view that it takes too long to be completed in respect of matters of this nature.

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