Seanad debates

Thursday, 5 December 2002

National Spatial Strategy: Statements.

 

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. As a man from the western half of the country, I hope he understands the necessity to implement the strategy.

The document is rich in aspiration but the timing of its launch is unfortunate. It was held back and postponed by the previous Minister because he feared fallout in regard to popularity. There would have been an onus on him to identify the hub and gateway towns but he would not do that in the run up to an election. The new Minister has been forced to launch the document at a time when there is no money.

The national development plan, which is now in tatters, was launched some years ago. This morning it was announced that the NRA will invest additional funding into roads infrastructure. For what is that additional funding earmarked? Will is be put towards the completion of projects already at an advanced stage? When those projects are completed, there will be no further projects. All of those projects due for completion are in the east – in the environs of Dublin, northwards towards Drogheda and Dundalk, southwards towards Waterford and in the areas in between.

Will the Minister of State indicate what is planned for the BMW region? It may have one project – that relating to the road from Ballinasloe to Galway city – advanced in the next two years. That is the only project that will go ahead under this plan. The bypasses for Loughrea, Ennis and all other areas in the region have been cancelled. This major 20 year plan is being launched in an environment where schemes that would accelerate its implementation through the putting in place of infrastructure are being withdrawn. We have no money and the plan does not indicate that funding will be made available.

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