Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)

I want to raise two issues on the Order of Business for response by the Minister for Finance. The Government has indicated that it is likely to publish the national development plan for 2007 onwards in mid-November. Are there plans for a debate in the House to review the last national development plan and to analyse whether what is being proposed for 2007 onwards is in the national interest?

On the Dublin transport authority Bill, which is in section A of the Government's legislative programme for this session, the Secretary General of the Department of Transport at last Thursday's meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts, indicated that this is being drafted. She could not give a finishing time for when this to be finalised. Will the Minister indicate why it is in section A and concede that it will not come before the House this session? What plans, if any, has the Government for a national transport authority to have integrated transport facilities for those of us who do not represent Dublin constituencies?

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