Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. The Bill lists the projects that must be fast-tracked, which is welcome. We must work together to ensure these projects are implemented quickly. The legislation provides for a streamlined planning process for key infrastructural projects, including installations for the harnessing of wind power and energy production such as wind farms with more than 50 turbines or a total output greater than 100 MW or installations for hydroelectric energy production with an output greater than 300 MW. This is welcome in the context of the provision of renewable energy.

I have no difficulty with wind turbines and it is reassuring that they do not harm the environment but wind energy production should be increased. As I flew along the coast of Wales recently, I noticed wind turbines, which had been constructed offshore. The Government is examining this possibility and improvements could be made in this regard.

It is vital that the State should increase electricity generation. Many people are considering the provision of gas and other options but electricity is convenient and clean and we tend to forget how good and valuable it can be and consider alternatives too quickly. However, the construction of gas pipelines and the erection of electricity pylons have been thorny issues. I appreciate pylons are needed but perhaps it is time to invest in delivering electricity underground. Pylons cause unease in communities and many people are afraid of living too close to them. A number of house sales in my area did not proceed because the buyers felt the houses were too close to pylons and overhead electricity lines. While medical evidence has not proven they are dangerous, it would be good practice on the part of various Departments to ensure infrastructural projects are implemented underground.

Ireland has a stable economy but our infrastructure is not what we would like. To describe it as a "Third World infrastructure" is going a step too far, as improvements have been made over the years but they took too long. I recall marching on Dail Éireann many years ago to save the Sligo-Dublin rail line and, thankfully, investment was provided. For example, two new services were added prior to Christmas increasing the number of daily services from three to five and new rolling stock was added. While this was welcome, it should have been happened sooner.

I drive to Dublin each week rather than take the train and the new Kilcock-Kinnegad motorway helps but it is being tolled. I do not want to be a begrudger but tolling is not the way forward, as it is an extra tax on motorists. Many lorries do not use the new road but take the old road, driving through towns such as Kinnegad and Enfield. Drivers say they lose five minutes but they save between €6 and €10. The issue of tolling should be revisited because the tolls are too expensive.

The Luas was due to open in 2002 but, finally, we have a light rail network in Dublin city. Whenever I leave a foreign airport, instead of taking a taxi, I challenge myself to use public transport to travel to my accommodation. A metro or rail line is needed between Dublin Airport and the city centre. The first dual carriageway in Ireland was built between the airport and the city. In communist countries years ago, the nicest parts were between the airport and the city centre hotels while the rest of the country was a shambles. While that is the not the case in Dublin, there is room for improvement.

The Dublin Port tunnel project is estimated to cost €558 million and it is expected to open in April 2006. I look forward to its opening, as it should significantly relieve traffic congestion on the quays. Mistakes were made resulting in leaks and the cost of the project has run over budget but we should learn from our mistakes.

Planning applications are subject to serious delays but the Bill has not been accompanied by reform of the judicial appeals process. I do know whether the Government can get around this but the courts take almost two years to decide on cases of strategic infrastructural importance. I am a little concerned that the legislation may not speed up the delivery of key projects.

The national roads programme is unlikely to be completed before 2013. It is reassuring that I can travel from Longford to Dublin in an hour and a half but the dual carriageway should be extended to the north west. A dual carriageway is in place between Dublin and Belfast and Dublin and Galway, while the area between them is not serviced by such a road. It takes the same time to travel between Boyle, County Roscommon, and Edgeworthstown, County Longford, which is relatively traffic free, as it does to travel between Edgeworthstown and Dublin. The journey time between Boyle and Edgeworthstown will increase.

An Bord Pleanála will recruit ten additional staff under the legislation. The board said it was proving difficult to make decisions within specified deadlines but Ministers need to lead in this regard. We live in a politically correct era and many politicians are afraid to intervene. I do not want to cast aspersions on officials. Many decent officials see their work as a vocation and give sterling service. However, some officials in Departments, including the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, are almost mavericks and the Government does not seem able to or want to deal with them. This is a serious situation.

I raise the issue now and want debate on the matter of Department officials who bring their personal view to bear on various issues and stop investment and prevent job opportunities. I want to ensure the environment is protected, but there is a cohort in the Department who more or less tell us what is good for the area. Ministers need to look at their Departments' decisions more carefully, without interfering politically, to check out the nature of the decisions and see exactly how they were made. It is an area where the buck may have been passed to mandarins who decide what to do.