Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

We are building for at least 100 years, not for next week. The beneficial impacts of these measures are evident, for example, in the completion of most projects in recent years within budget and ahead of contract completion dates. The bypasses at Monasterevin, Ashford-Rathnew, Cashel and Ballincollig are well ahead of schedule, and on budget. The initiatives being taken by the Minister for Finance, with regard to reform of public sector construction contracts particularly in the area of fixed price tendering and new standard contracts, will further strengthen the cost estimation and control on projects.

My Department will continue to pursue the strengthening of cost estimation and control arrangements with the NRA. In doing so, the recommendation of the Committee of Public Accounts regarding further strengthening of the capacity of the NRA in the area of cost control and financial management will be fully taken into account.

It is important in this debate about cost overruns and value for money that we do not lose sight of the fact that while road projects are costing more than initially estimated in 1999, they still represent good value for money given the significant economic, transport and safety benefits to be achieved from addressing the deficiencies in our road network.

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