Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will answer on the capital review. The capital plan Building on Recovery is being reviewed to ensure capital spending is strictly aligned with national economic and social priorities, consistent with the programme for partnership Government objectives. A key goal for the review is to focus available capital resources on investment that can best underpin sustainable medium term economic growth and social progress and enhance Ireland's future growth potential. To answer the earlier question from the Deputy, the impact of Brexit is specifically included in the terms of reference I set for the capital review and the regional consequences for Brexit are recognised in the work that will happen across this year.

The review of the plan will be undertaken in two stages. The first phase will comprise a focused review of priorities aimed primarily at advising the Government in the context of budget 2018 on how the additional funding committed by Government for capital investment should be allocated over the remainder of the period of the plan. This will examine priority areas for investment, consistent with the objectives of the existing capital plan and also reflect the specific investment priorities set out in the programme for Government. The second phase of the review will assess and report on the framework required to underpin longer-term analysis of Ireland's infrastructure planning needs.

Submissions will be sought from Departments and key stakeholders and a public consultation will also be undertaken to inform the review. As part of the process, it is currently intended that my Department will publish output as part of the 2017 mid-year expenditure report, including a stock-take of progress to date on delivery of the capital plan; a macroeconomic analysis that will make reference to Brexit; and an infrastructure demand analysis, benchmarking existing infrastructure being supplied to assess its capability to meet demands as the economy continues to grow.

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