Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Transport the steps he is taking to ensure that the taxpayer receives value for money in relation to the construction and acquisition costs for major roads and public transport projects. [41663/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am satisfied that the investment that has taken place over recent years in upgrading our road and public transport infrastructure represents good value for money. The position as regards national roads is that, as Minister for Transport, I have overall responsibility for policy and funding of the national roads programme. In accordance with the Roads Act 1993, the implementation of the projects that make up the programme, including measures to ensure that these projects are delivered on time and in budget, are a matter for the National Roads Authority in conjunction with the relevant local authorities concerned.

My Department's main focus in monitoring the progress of the national roads programme is to ensure that it meets the overall policy priorities and targets set down in Transport 21. In addition, my Department has a role in ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place for project management and cost estimation and control so that the programme can be delivered in accordance with best practice value for money principles. This is achieved through a number of different methods ranging from day-to-day liaison with the authority, the submission of regular formal progress reports to my Department and regular meetings of senior officials of the NRA and my Department.

In addition it should be noted that the NRA must also comply with the Department of Finance's value-for-money framework. In recent years, at the behest of my Department, a greater emphasis has been placed on the NRA on improving their cost estimation and control measures. So far this year, 12 of the 14 projects already completed have come in on time and within budget, and a number of projects were delivered comfortably ahead of the original schedules. These include the N15 Ballyshannon to Bundoran bypass, three months ahead of schedule; the N2 Ashbourne bypass, four months ahead of schedule; the N8 Rathcormac to Fermoy bypass, eight months ahead of schedule; and the N25 Kinsale road interchange, six months ahead of schedule.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I have a few roads that need upgrading.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Traffic is at a standstill.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Indeed, the project from Kinnegad to Tyrellspass was completed 12 months ahead of schedule. All major capital investments in public transport are subject to rigorous appraisal procedures ensuring the need for each project and the options for delivering it are established with the objective for maximising value for money. Major rail projects are now being delivered on time and within budget.

Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Hear, hear.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Progress on projects is monitored through regular reporting by and meetings with the implementing agencies and through technical and financial audits of a selection of projects by independent consultants.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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What will the Minister's next trick be?

Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy would be welcome back.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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One of the key functions of the monitoring group, established to look after Transport 21, is to monitor the implementation of projects provided for in that programme, with particular reference to compliance with the Department of Finance's capital appraisal guidelines and the value-for-money indicators. It will also review ongoing programme progress using information supplied by Endorse, an audit regime for the Transport 21 framework, and submit an annual report of progress to Government on the implementation of Transport 21.

I am very satisfied the arrangements in place for appraisal deliver value for money on all these projects.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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How can the Minister state he is satisfied when the NRA last week pointed out that the cost of land acquisition amounts to approximately 23% of the cost of road building projects, which is completely unsustainable whether relating to road building, transport or housing? It is simply unacceptable that big landowners and property speculators are making a killing at the expense of the taxpayer.

Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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That is not what the IFA stated.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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This has been pointed out to the Minister and his Government colleagues for many years. In 2003, the Labour Party introduced a Bill to provide for the Government to compulsorily purchase land at use value. The Government voted it down, but the All-Party Committee on the Constitution recommended that it legislate for something similar. In spite of this issue arising time and again, with cost overruns on public transport projects, road building and house prices, the Government has refused to take action.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does the Deputy have a question?

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Is it not the problem that Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats are not prepared to face down property speculators, and are instead giving in to their pressure?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should ask a question.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Government is giving into those vested interests and the taxpayer is paying the price.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Labour Party is the most anti-farming and anti-rural party in the House. The Government will certainly not go down the road of what the Labour Party prescribes. It is typical of the Labour Party to be disingenuous on the facts presented to the House.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Answer the question.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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This is the light entertainment before the budget.

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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This is rubbish.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Minister, without interruption.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Minister does not like it.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Was the Deputy not in with Labour?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In spite of what the Deputy has said, the cost of producing every kilometre of new road in this country is half the cost of that in the United Kingdom.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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We are delivering superb value for money and we share the wealth of this country with everybody, unlike the Labour Party.