Seanad debates
Wednesday, 5 November 2003
National Development Plan Mid-Term Evaluation: Statements.
The report refers to weaknesses in project management. This is its major understatement. In many cases such as the Red Cow roundabout and the port tunnel, we have under-engineered. Today at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport, directors of the RPA briefed us on some of the reasons for the delay in Luas. It is clear to me and other Senators that poor contractual arrangements are in place and no financial penalties can be imposed by the RPA to force the contractors to complete the works on time. We must look to European experience, such as that which the Madrid metro experts outlined to us in their visit and presentation last June. I can only conclude that when one evaluates our performance against best European practice, we are found wanting.
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