John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I very much welcome the Minister's response. I have a similar question, Question No. 32, on the commitment in the programme for Government to review the infrastructural guidelines. One of the most frustrating aspects of being a public representative is the time it takes between the concept of a project to its delivery. I was a member of a local authority from 2004 to 2009, and my recollection is that public projects moved a lot quicker during that period than they do now. I welcome the Minister's response on the need to balance the necessity for prudence with the ambition to make sure we deliver projects. I understand the need for prudence and I am not promoting financial recklessness, but I agree with Deputy Crowe. I have found that as the financial appraisal takes place, the costs rise. One wonders about the objective at the outset in undertaking them. As promised in the programme for Government, the guidelines need to be reviewed to try to make sure delivery is made easier.

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