I wish to focus in particular on the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme. This is pivotal in terms of addressing the country's infrastructure deficit. Accordingly, the plan provided for massively accelerated Exchequer capital investment in key areas including roads, public transport, environmental protection, housing, health and education. To put this acceleration in perspective, the average annual Exchequer provision for these areas over the first three years of the plan was over €3.9 billion, which represents an increase of 42% over the corresponding 1999 provisions.