asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the fact that Irish road transport costs are about 25 per cent higher than in the rest of the EC because of bad roads and higher fuel and excise duties, and as a result, road vehicles in Ireland only attain 60 per cent of the productivity of EC competing countries if he considers that it would be appropriate to bring forward the Government's plans for road investment, thereby achieving a more efficient road network and much-needed employment in the construction section; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Road Investment.
645.
In the national plan Building on Reality the Government have already announced that, in recognition of the economic and social importance of an adequate national road network, State expenditure on road improvements will increase from £101.65 million in 1984 to £125 million in 1985, £140 million in 1986 and £155 million in 1987. The aggregate provisions for the years 1985-87 will exceed by some 10 per cent the expenditure targets of the road development plan for the 1980s. The effect of these increases will be an acceleration of major road improvement schemes around the country. Direct employment on road improvement and maintenance works will increase by 1,100 during the period, with spin-off employment also expected to increase by 400 a year on average.