Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge and welcome the Deputy's comments on this. When it comes to the selection of individual projects, it is a matter for the line Minister and line Department but, as part of the NDP, we have agreed to multi-annual capital ceilings. For example, the Department of Transport now knows what it will have by way of a capital budget for each year until 2025. Indeed, it has its total envelope to 2030 confirmed as part of the NDP. It will amount to €35 billion over the period. I will be working with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and all of our Government colleagues to ensure our ambitious plans are implemented. That will involve significant investment in our ports and airports. As the Deputy knows, there has been significant investment in our ports to date to be prepared for Brexit, but we acknowledge that there will be further development of more direct connections to mainland Europe from our ports. That will require continued investment by the Government.

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