Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I join with my colleagues in welcoming the Minister of State to the House and the opportunity to discuss this report by the ESRI. It is timely that we have an opportunity to discuss it so close to its launch. I recognise the input of a number of other important consultants into this report. There has been much comment and interest in the observations of the report's authors, particularly in the areas where they are critical of elements of the projects associated with the national development plan and the management of those projects and also where a number of policy changes have been identified and where there has been a negative reaction from the Departments and Ministers concerned. As a result, there is a perception that the NDP has not been delivering. It would be sad if that were allowed to continue. It is important to recognise that the broad thrust of the report is complimentary of the NDP. It recognises the importance of the initiation of the NDP and of moving away from the methods of the 1980s where projects were funded purely on a year by year basis. As I read it, the report recognised the importance of the current position evidenced by the achievements of the past three years.