Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 12, inclusive, together.

At the March meeting of the cross-departmental team on housing, infrastructure and PPPs, the main agenda items were: housing, particularly in the context of recent reports from the National Economic and Social Council and the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution; strategic national infrastructure, especially proposals to expedite delivery; and the transport investment programme under the ten-year envelope announced on budget day.

The team met again on 4 April. At that meeting, it reviewed developments on housing, noting in particular the implementation of the affordable mortgage product. The team also considered its work programme, including the post-NDP scenario. On that specific issue, the Government has yet to make a decision on whether there will be a formal successor to the current NDP and if there is, what it should encompass. Regarding the Cabinet sub-committee to which the cross-departmental team reports, it last met on 9 March. That was the second meeting this year, with the next scheduled for 5 May.

The sub-committee, which I chair, comprises the Tánaiste and the Attorney General, along with the Ministers for Finance, Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Education and Science, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Transport. It also includes the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Government Chief Whip.

See this speech in context