Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

I am not sure whether it is three, four or five years since the Planning and Development (Strategic National Infrastructure) Bill was initiated as a high priority Bill. As we come to the end of the national development plan, we have not seen the Bill and most likely will not see it before the national development plan expires. In the context of the new transport plan, is this Bill regarded as a high priority or is it taking a back seat?

The greater Dublin area land use and transport authority Bill, a Bill that was close to the heart of a former Minister, Senator O'Rourke, was on the list of proposed legislation for a long period but was then dropped. Was I correct in hearing the Minister state yesterday that it was back on again? It must be five years since the former Minister, Senator O'Rourke, presented the proposal as a red paper and a blue paper but it then fell by the wayside. Is it now finding its way back?

Perhaps I am mistaken but I understand a proposal was made that responsibility for ports might move to the Department of Transport. Perhaps this comes under the slogan "Dempsey delivers"— he delivers things out of his Department to other Departments. Will we have legislation or an order rearranging ministerial responsibilities in that context?

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