Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

The recent downturn in the construction sector was commented on earlier. Yesterday the Taoiseach said the downturn was one of the reasons for the drop in tax receipts. Senator Quinn mentioned the quarterly household survey that was published recently. That showed that in the last quarter more than 5,500 people have left the construction sector. Everybody knows the residential construction market is cyclical. We now have a trained workforce and it is time we put it to use on public transport infrastructure projects. I was particularly disappointed to learn that no major public transport infrastructure project will be delivered on time. The Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, might not be concerned but it appears the fast train to Navan will now resemble the slow boat to China. There must be a programme for the implementation of new public transport infrastructure projects. We have a trained workforce, and let us use it.