Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "That" and substitute the following:

Seanad Éireann commends the Government's commitment and proactive approach in the delivery of the upgraded national roads network;

—notes the Government's commitment to the protection of our national heritage and the preservation of archaeological sites and features;

—notes the on-going liaison between the NRA and the national monuments division of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in preserving our national heritage and with dealing with archaeological sites and features in accordance with best practice;

—notes that the roads programme is being implemented in full accord with the code of practice on archaeology for the national roads programme agreed with the then Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in 2000;

—commends the National Roads Authority on its commitment and investment in placing archaeological issues at the centre of the road planning process, evident in the discovery of so many previously unrecorded areas of historical and archaeological importance;

—notes that the national roads investment programme is being implemented as part of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and supports the objectives of the national spatial strategy, confirms the importance of the transport corridor that links the north west, Cavan and north Meath to Dublin as one of the busiest in the country;

—notes that the Government investment in our road network is essential to provide for balanced regional investment and is delivering shorter, safer and superior road journeys;

—notes the comprehensive statutory public consultation procedures in place, under the Roads Act 1993, which are also being supplemented by extensive non-statutory local consultations by road authorities;

—and emphasises the importance of public private partnerships in harnessing the necessary skills and finance to support the earlier completion of the Government's ambitious national road infrastructure targets.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House to debate this issue. It is the first opportunity that I have got to congratulate him on his recent appointment and I wish him well. It is clear that the Government, through the NDP, has and will continue to deliver on the strategic roll-out of the road network to drive economic growth in this country. This is something that has been part of the NDP and the national spatial strategy for some time. By the end of 2003, the Government had spent €5 billion on that particular programme. Through PPP and Government funding, €8 billion will be spent between now and 2008. That is all for a very good reason. Motorways are an integral part in linking the provinces with the capital city, as well as linking provincial, local and regional roads.

A safe and efficient network of roads will provide the infrastructure for the future growth and development of this island. That is a critical component for the future of this country. This road network is vital to sustain balanced regional development, which is a key plank of Government policy. The Minister and I are acutely aware of the importance of balanced regional development. We need to ensure that a road network is in place, together with other infrastructure such as aviation and rail, as a counter-balance to the phenomenal growth that takes place on the east coast. It is something which the western seaboard and the BMW region have suffered for a long time. The concentration of growth, investment and population has not worked on the east coast. It has not worked because people spend hours on the way to work in the morning as part of a relatively short commute. The regions have not been developed or have not been assisted in that development. In ensuring a shift in population out of the city and in improving the lives of those who live there and those who do not, a key factor is a quality road network. It has to form part of the development of infrastructure, whether it be rail or aviation. The people in the regions are entitled to that development.

The M3 is critical to the delivery of this agenda. It is consistent with the NDP and with the national spatial strategy. The same thing occurred in the mid-west region, with the development of the Ennis bypass. It occurs when we lobby for further funding to be put in place to link cities like Limerick and Galway. This is done to ensure that there is growth and development so that people can live their lives outside of the city to the same standards as those who live on the east coast. The M3 is vital in contributing to the on-going success of the local and regional economy, bringing better balanced regional development, improved safety, and access to and from Dublin, its ports and its airports. In addition, this project will transform the quality of life for those living in Dunboyne, Dunshaughlin, Navan and Kells.

There has been much talk about the fauna and flora and the archaeological issues. I accept that and I appreciate the difficulties and issues that arise. However, neither Senator Ross nor Senator O'Toole made any mention of the people's lives that it affects on a daily basis and their concerns. The same issue will arise in regard to re-routing. There are farmers and people who go about their lives in a very small local area. We have to look at the impact that the development of any road network has on those people. While the Senators seem to suggest that the P route was the ultimate solution to all problems, at no point did I hear reference to the daily lives of those who will be affected by the development of a road.