Vol. 492 No. 2
61 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance the way in which he will expand the use of public private partnership arrangements in the future financing of infrastructural developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13716/98]
The Deputy will be aware that I issued a press statement on 25 May last to the effect that the Government had agreed to my proposal for an urgent and in-depth evaluation of the potential contribution of public private partnership (PPP) mechanisms to meeting public infrastructure needs.
I have, as a first step, established an interdepartmental group to develop criteria for and advise on issues arising in implementing the PPP concept. I have also established an informal advisory group with public and private sector participation which will broaden the area of advice available to me. The groups will avail of special expertise as necessary.
The roads area will be treated as a priority by both groups, including the scope for self-financing road projects and shadow tolling road projects.
