Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The transport programme in the National Development Plan 2007-2013 provides for a total investment of €32.9 billion over seven years and identifies the Government's priorities for investment in roads, public transport, airports and ports sectors.

In 2007, expenditure under the NDP transport programme exceeded its projected level by €178 million. The Exchequer provision for the transport sector in 2008 is in line with the projections used for the NDP. I should also add that the funding provided for the first three years of Transport 21 is in line with the originally agreed profile of expenditure.

The Government has repeatedly indicated that the national development plan, of which Transport 21 is a part, is its top priority and that, even in difficult economic circumstances, its objective will be to continue to provide the funding necessary to support its implementation.

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