Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

-----and because of my strong commitment to the Smarter Travel policy document that we published. Given the policy's possibilities for Galway city and provided the outer bypass is put in place, Galway could be the country's most sustainable city. This is a marvellous opportunity and I am committed to trying to ensure it is taken.

In terms of the list referred to by Deputy McCormack, it would not be wise to lay money aside for the Galway outer bypass in light of the possibility that the court case could take 12 months. Hopefully it will not, but it could take longer. Stalling other projects would not be wise. When this project gets through the system and is ready for financing, as is the case with all the other pending projects - some newspapers referred to them as being "suspended" - we will move it forward within our financial constraints.

Deputy Coveney raised the matter of motorway service areas and asked why we were not taking the PPP route. We have taken that route and are providing three service areas. They are being constructed. Six months ago, I instructed the NRA to devise a scheme whereby these service areas, just as the Deputy mentioned tonight and in yesterday's newspaper, would be provided without costing the taxpayer any money. PPPs cost taxpayers money and I am awaiting a report from the NRA to try to ensure the scheme is set up.

As to whether the Bill is for a specific project, that happens to be the case currently. As the Members opposite accept, one project would be badly affected. However, the Bill is not for a specific project. Rather, it will apply to any case. This issue was first raised with me not only in the context of the Galway outer bypass, but also in the context of the Enniscorthy bypass in respect of which a court challenge had been mounted. It was feared that the same would occur in this instance. The court case was heard and dismissed, so it does not apply, but this provision will apply if any case arises in future. The Bill applies generally, but in a particular way to this particular project at this stage.

The provisions relating to local authorities will be examined as the question was a reasonable one. In the time available to us on this and the planning and development Bill, we kept the amendment as tight as possible to meet the situation we saw coming down the tracks. Deputy Coveney raised a valid question about this Bill's application to other bodies. That matter will be considered in the context of future planning and development Bills.

These were the major points. I thank Deputies for their contributions and for facilitating this debate. I accept the comments of Deputies Coveney and Costello. If it can be avoided, legislation should not go through the House in this way. However, these circumstances arose and I thank the Deputies for their forbearance in allowing this debate to be held tonight.

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