James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I tabled this amendment out of frustration. The Minister is probably aware that I come from the BMW region where there is a major underspend of approved funding. A programme of funding was to be spent by 2007 and we are less than half way into the drawdown of these moneys. There are major problems with many of the large infrastructural projects. There are problems with the southern bypass for Longford and tourism development projects in Roscommon. Decisions have not been taken on those despite the public outcry for quick solutions. I have put down the amendment out of frustration because there are unnecessary delays in a great many areas, particularly in the drawdown in BMW areas, which stands at around 46% of the entire budget, and this is ridiculous. Those moneys were to be spent on the poorest areas of the country and the drawdown is very poor; I want that on the record of the House yet again. There is frustration among the general public as regards the lack of infrastructural development in the region. We are told the moneys were provided, but there are problems with planning and with getting projects off the ground.