Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I did not interrupt the Deputy when he asked questions and made many comments. He suggested that nothing is being done, but I am explaining to him how the Government is trying to promote this investment. Things are being said and done on the ground that are at variance with the Deputy's strong commitment to get this done as quickly as possible. Some of these things are being said by people in the Deputy's own party. I am entitled to make that point, and if people in my party did that, I would ask them their proposals. They are either for this or against it. We cannot demand better infrastructure all over the country, and then go to town halls around the country and agree with those who say they have a problem with such developments. We cannot have it every way.

There has been an improvement in the stock of trains and engines at CIE. There was no rail transport investment in this country up until 1996. In the last 13 or 14 years, hundreds of millions of euro have been invested in public transport. More is to be invested, but significant infrastructure projects are being completed on time and within budget across this city. There are other cities in Ireland that would love to get such projects. To hear a Deputy from Dublin saying nothing is happening with public transport-----

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