Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, together.

The cross-departmental team on housing, infrastructure and PPPs has met once since I last reported to the House on its work.

At the meeting of 27 April, the team's discussion focused mainly on the progress report, which will be laid before the House this week. This report provides an overview of progress during 2004 within the main policy frameworks and in the physical delivery of projects.

The team also considered the Atlantic way proposal within the wider Atlantic gateway context. It was noted that the gateways study would be completed by the summer and will be an agenda item later in the year. The next meeting of the team is taking place today. The main agenda items are ports and infrastructure delivery under the CLÁR programme.

The team serves a valuable role in progressing and resolving issues related to infrastructure planning and delivery and the House can be assured that it will continue to make an important contribution.

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