Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I, too, join with colleagues in complimenting the Members of this House who served on the banking inquiry. I congratulate them on finally managing to publish a report today. Unfortunately, there are so many dissenting voices that the majority report may only reflect minority opinion. It will not tell us anything new or anything we did not know already. We are all well aware of the failings of both the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator. We are also well aware that the inquiry was hamstrung by the legislation under which it was established in not being able to make any findings of fact or recommendations against any individual. That said, I welcome the debate the Leader has arranged on the report. Please God, there will be aspects of the recommendations made that will be useful in the future.

I very much welcome the announcement of the details of the €298 million investment programme for this year for regional and local roads. The funding package will allow approximately 2,000 km of regional and local roads to be maintained and improved during the year. I welcome, in particular, the inclusion in the programme of the long-awaited Dingle inner relief road.