Beverley Flynn (Mayo, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The Minister, when speaking in the House yesterday, was correct in saying the economy had developed much since the 1980s, with enormous increases in population and employment. There is a serious need for the country's infrastructure to catch up with this massive development.

Coming from the west, I believe that infrastructure is the future to everything. Without the proper infrastructure the necessary jobs will not be attracted to one's locality. It is critically important therefore that these essential infrastructural projects go through planning and take place on time and within budget. I am extremely conscious of that in the west. I welcome the comments of Deputy Quinn on the infrastructure and the road network throughout the west and how that might link into the rest of the country. I was disappointed in the past when the Labour Party did not support the two-regional approach for Objective One status, when that campaign was going on over five years ago. Having said that, I welcome its approach now. It seems to be an interesting standpoint at this juncture, shortly before a general election, but obviously it is something that is very welcome.

The Minister referred to the enormous difference that the national development plan has made in terms of major infrastructural projects. I agree that this is the case. Everybody acknowledges that the country has improved greatly in recent years. However, as I have said many times, I am disappointed with aspects of non-delivery of the national development plan in the BMW region, particularly today when there is a €3.65 billion underspend in the region. Some €500 million of that alone relates to national primary roads. The Minister will be very conscious of that. Throughout the west many representations have been made to the National Roads Authority to try to get major infrastructural road projects funded. Unfortunately, people are being sent away, cap in hand, and told to be happy with the projects they have at the moment since the funding is not there for additional projects. That simply is not the case.

Approximately three weeks ago, the National Roads Authority produced a report at the back of which there were two maps, one for 2005 and one for 2006. The maps showed in colour the projects that started and concluded in those years. What was common between the two maps was that one could almost believe the west was not part of the country. On the 2006 map there is a tiny red line, about 2 mm in length, and this is the only line in Connacht included in the plans. That line represents the Charlestown bypass which is being funded this year. If we are serious about balanced regional development and about developing the whole country in our massive growth surge, we cannot sit back and ignore what is before us in these maps. The situation was never so obvious as it is in this report.

I have mentioned this matter in the House time and again through parliamentary questions to the Minister for Transport and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and I have been told that it is not a matter for the Minister but for the NRA, but I disagree. It is not a matter for the NRA. It is Government policy and part of the national development plan. The national development plan determines how money is spent and these decisions are made by Government. This means they come through the Minister and his colleagues in the Cabinet. I ask for this to be examined in the short remaining period of the current national development plan.

We are all conscious that from 2007 on, the new plan will no longer focus on the regions. We have already moved from the two-region approach to the national spatial strategy. I do not care what strategy is used because whatever the strategy, it does not have an impact on the west. This situation must be addressed.

I welcome this Bill because it is important to streamline the planning process for strategic projects. People in the west know about strategic projects and I will mention a few. The Minister referred to Transport 21 and the western rail corridor, which is certainly a strategic project for the people in the west. It makes no difference how quickly the planning process is with regard to this project. The Minister set a deadline for the completion of phase 1 for 2014, and there was certainly no need to bring in a new Bill to streamline the process if this was the timescale. This project does not even need to go through much of the planning process because it is ready to roll. It could be fast-tracked under the existing Transport 21 plan. I know the timescales in the plan are indicative, but I urge the Minister to fast-track the western rail corridor. That would be appreciated.

When talking about infrastructure we include roads, rail and air. One of the most strategic infrastructure developments for people in the west is Knock airport, and they are concerned about its future development and the impact it could have on the region. The airport requires a major investment of approximately €40 million. It has come on in leaps and bounds under current management over the past five years. They should be commended, but they also need the support of Government to continue the work they have been doing so well.

I must also mention another strategic project for the area and for the country, the Corrib gas project. This must have an impact on the thinking that goes into this Bill. It is important to consider this project because it is important to look at the mistakes that have been made in a project of this size, especially the delay in progressing the project. The interests of local people and the democratic process are also important. We must consider whether people had a fair say and whether they were listened to. The role of the Department must also be considered. There must be some criticism of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources with regard to the issues highlighted throughout the consent process.

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