The Deputy will be aware that the national development plan for the 2000-06 period is in the course of preparation. In this context, my Department, along with other relevant Departments, has submitted proposals to the Department of Finance for funding for a range of infrastructural measures over this period.
In assessing infrastructural needs generally, my Department draws on its long experience and that of the local government sector and the National Roads Authority in managing the programmes concerned at central and local level. The Department has also been assisted by various analyses and reports including: the ESRI report, National Investment Priorities for the period 2000-2006; the National Road Needs Study prepared by the National Roads Authority; the Pavement Study – Condition of Non National Roads, prepared for my Department by Ove Arup and Partners; An Economic Assessment of Recent House Price Developments and The Housing Market: An Economic Review and Assessment by Peter Bacon and Associates; Housing in Dublin – A Strategic Review, by the Dublin Local Authorities; the policy statement, Waste Management – Changing our Ways, prepared by my Department; and the strategic planning guidelines for the Dublin area prepared by a consortium of consultants for my Department and certain local and regional authorities.
My Department's assessment of infrastructural needs has also been informed by the views and submissions of the various social partners, including Filling the Gap – Ireland's Infrastructural Deficit, prepared by Fitzpatrick Associates for IBEC, and the reports prepared for regional authorities on development strategies for the 2000-06 period for the southern and eastern regions and the Border, midlands and western regions. Legal obligations in relation to minimum waste water treatment standards stipulated under the EU Urban Waste Water Directive are also reflected in my Department's submission to the Department of Finance for water services funding under the next national development plan.
I am not in a position to indicate the resources to be provided over the 2000-06 funding period, but the Deputy may be assured that there will be an appropriate balance both within and between programmes. Decisions on this will be taken by the Government in the first instance in finalising the national development plan. Negotiations with the EU will follow in the context of the community support framework.