I have no plans to introduce the type of arrangement for overseeing implementation of the National Development Plan 2000-2006 envisaged by the Deputy.
The Government is committed to the timely implementation of the national development plan. Particular attention is being paid to delivery of the infrastructure investment in the plan. To this end, special arrangements have been put in place to monitor and drive delivery of this element of the plan. In particular, the Government has established a Cabinet Committee on Infrastructural Development, including public private partnerships, which is chaired by the Taoiseach. A cross departmental team of senior officials supports the Cabinet committee. This institutional structure provides a powerful means for addressing institutional, administrative and legal issues that might hinder deliverability of the NDP. For instance, the Planning and Development Act, 2000, includes provisions developed under the aegis of the Cabinet committee. Better project management in key implementing agencies has also been put into effect, which, for example, will lead to a reduction from five years to three and a half years in the period it takes to progress major road projects from conception to commencement on site. The Cabinet committee also receives regular progress reports from these agencies. In this context and in order to assist the committee's work, my Department has established a detailed NDP project tracking system, which will enable any emerging problems to be quickly identified and remedial action taken.
In addition, and as required under the Structural Funds regulations, responsibility for overseeing implementation of the NDP Operational Programmes, OPs, rests with the OP managing authorities reporting to the OP monitoring committees. This is being done in way which will mainstream the positive experience of managing and monitoring Structural Funds programmes. The managing authorities for each of the OPs are as follows: