Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason transport projects outlined in the new National Development Plan do not have price estimates and start or completion dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6599/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013 is a strategic document setting out a broad investment framework and investment priorities, together with indicative financial allocations, for the next seven years. It does not contain a list of all projects to be undertaken over the period of the Plan, although certain Chapters, including those on Regional Development, Economic Infrastructure and Social Infrastructure, refer to projects scheduled for delivery or progression between now and the end of 2013.

All of the transport projects included in Transport 21 for the period 2007 to 2013 are included in the new NDP and indicative completion dates for the projects have been publicly available since its launch in November 2005. As regards project costs, I have said previously that I do not consider it prudent to release commercially sensitive information in relation to the cost of individual projects within Transport 21 until the public procurement processes are complete. I must maintain that position in the interests of protecting the taxpayer and ensuring Transport 21 is achieved within its budget of €34 billion.