Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

As a follow-on from what Senator Hayes has just said, it is important that we have an urgent debate on the National Roads Authority and its workings. It is failing to deliver on all aspects of the projects under its control. Half of the projects will not be completed within the timeframe of 2006. The national development plan estimated that it would cost €7.6 billion, yet the current cost stands at €16.5 billion. One project near this House, the final stage of the M50, is 288% above budget. The Houses of the Oireachtas created the tribunals of inquiry and we now have to look into them to find out where they are going. The tribunals have generated millionaires from the legal profession. Under the auspices of the NRA, consultants are becoming the new millionaires, parallel to what is happening with the tribunals.

I am worried that many infrastructure projects, particularly those outside the Pale, will be delayed still further as a result of the total failure of the NRA to deliver. The Comptroller and Auditor General highlighted the lack of expertise of those in charge of the NRA. I appreciate that we do not have control of the NRA. We have created a monster that is now running wild. While the NRA is delivering some projects, none of them is on time, none of them is within cost and something has to be done.