Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I share that objective. That is why giving that additional scope to Ministers across their respective policy areas to invest in critical infrastructure is essential as part of the national development plan. We are at a point of significant economic uncertainty and this Government is clearly setting out that we want to seriously increase our overall investment in critical infrastructure, which will provide the growth, prosperity and jobs for the future. We know that housing, energy, water and transport in particular are areas requiring that additional investment. There are other areas that require the additionality to provide for critical services and social infrastructure across communities in Ireland. That is also part of the wider process in terms of the national development plan. We share those objectives, particularly when we have the wider uncertainty. We need to provide for that growth and opportunity for the future. We will be able to set out further detail next week.

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