Fergus O'Dowd
Question:179 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance the way in which he intends to oversee the implementation of the national spatial strategy through the public capital programme. [5435/03]
Written Answers - National Spatial Strategy.
My colleague, the Minister or the Environment and Local Government, will lead the implementation of the national spatial strategy. The strategy is not an investment plan in itself. Rather, it is a 20 year framework which will inform and guide all other Government policies including public investment policies. The national development plan accounts for 80% of Exchequer spending under the public capital programme. The Deputy may wish to note that the mid-term review of the NDP, which is due to take place in 2003, will be informed by all relevant key policy developments since the plan was launched in 1999, including the national spatial strategy.