Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Now that there is movement on the Stability and Growth Pact and the straitjacket imposed on this economy over the past few years is loosened, perhaps the €1.5 billion available for essential infrastructural development will go towards a more developed integrated public transport system. I am a strong supporter of public transport. My late father grew up in a bar, aptly called The Railway Bar. We had a narrow gauge railway running through Drumshanbo and my children keep asking me why the railway was taken away. They do not understand now and 30 years ago we did not understand either. With the money in our economy, I hope there will be a greater emphasis on rail and bus transport, especially in expanding the commuter belt on the east coast.

We should have accelerated the building of motorways years ago. At least there is movement now. The Cathaoirleach will testify to the amazing changes and real progress in terms of road development one sees when visiting parts of the country one has not visited for years. The Government has responsibility to develop a rail transport system on the east coast and other areas where there has been rapid expansion of the commuter belt such as Galway, Limerick and Cork. The infrastructure exists in some places. I urge an immediate decision on the western rail corridor. There have been many surveys and debates and spokespersons are hopeful that it will happen. The Tuam-Galway rail link is crying out for development. The changes taking place are extraordinary.

During the by-election in Meath, it became apparent that the imminent decision to extend the rail network to Dunboyne does not go far enough. The line should go all the way to Navan. I appreciate that the Taoiseach has said these things cannot be pulled out of the air through magic. It is time for the link from Dublin Airport to the city centre. A decision must be taken on this. Perhaps there were technical reasons this did not happen or perhaps the Stability and Growth Pact had to be adhered to, given the large amounts of money involved. I hope there will be a greater emphasis on the development of rail and bus links, where there is an obvious need for them and no great technical impediment.

The Finance Bill 2005 is very detailed and one could speak at length on any section. Section 12 relates to an exemption the Minister has introduced, in consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, on allowances for those working abroad. This is a convention in other European countries. It is interesting in light of a decision taken at the annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors. The rank and file have decided not to implement closer co-operation between the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the Garda Síochána due to "safety concerns". This relates to joint patrols in each other's territory. Today, RTE crime correspondent Paul Reynolds interpreted the decision as cloaking the real issue, which is money. If this is the case, it is very sad.

The esteem the Garda Síochána now enjoys is the highest it has ever been in the life of this young democracy as a result of its involvement in investigating bank robberies, money laundering and other dimensions of the peace process. We all know friends and family in the Garda Síochána. The aspiration to be paid is perfectly legitimate but to suggest safety concerns are preventing greater co-operation between the police forces drives hard at the heart of what this peace process is about. Closer police co-operation is at the heart of co-operation between North and South. All of these measures will lead to what we, as republicans, want to see — a united Ireland, achieved by consent. I raise this in the context of section 12 of the Finance Bill 2005. In the same report, it was revealed that the allowances would be very generous if joint co-operation existed.

In the last budget there was a time limit on tax incentives. This affects my county, Leitrim, as the tax incentive scheme has been very successful, with certain qualifications. The closing date for the receipt of applications was 31 December and those building houses in Leitrim, Longford, north Roscommon, east Sligo and west Cavan have until June 2006 to complete those buildings. If there is any delay not caused by the developers or builders, which will lead to missing the deadline next June, I hope the Minister will be flexible.

Senator Ryan referred to the success of the Irish economy. In view of the loosening of the Stability and Growth Pact restrictions and the continuing growth in our economy — 5% being forecast for next year — I hope we will no longer talk about the problems of success. I am proud to be part of a Fianna Fáil Party that has managed this economy well since 1997. Let us move on from that and start delivering essential services for which people are crying out, as witnessed by those canvassing in the recent by-elections.

I applaud the Government's recent initiative on child care and look forward to hearing its details. The initiative shows that this is a caring, compassionate Government. I hope we will hear no more about the problems of success. Let us now address the solutions so we can have a more balanced and equitable society.