Vol. 519 No. 2
12 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the number of occasions the Cabinet committee on infrastructural development, including public private partnership, has met; when the last meeting was held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11352/00]
13 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the number of meetings of the Cabinet committee on infrastructural development, including public private partnership; when the last meeting was held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12388/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
The Cabinet committee on infrastructure has met on six occasions to date. Its last meeting was on 18 April 2000 and the next meeting will take place later this afternoon.
The Cabinet committee on infrastructure is an integral part of Government and its meetings, as with any Cabinet committee, are an integral part of the business of Government. The practice has grown up over time of allowing questions in the House as to the date and number of meetings of such committees. Questions as to the business conducted at Cabinet committee meetings have never been allowed in the House on the grounds that they are internal to Government. The reasons for this approach are founded on sound policy principles and the need to avoid infringing the constitutional protection of Cabinet confidentiality.
I am not sure if I understood the report of that reply. Perhaps I am not supposed to ask a question, but I will have a go anyway. In an interview recently carried in The Irish Times, a very flattering and favourable interview, the Taoiseach indicated at the outset that Irish industry, in particular the infrastructural construction industry, would have to get used to the idea of foreign contractors coming in to do infrastructural works which the industry locally was not capable of providing. I understand in the same context the Taoiseach made reference, or reference surrounded it, to the fact that only two domestic tenders were received for the completion of the C ring and the M50. Without breaching the manifest confidentiality of this secret committee of the Cabinet, what plans, if any, does the Taoiseach have to facilitate the arrival of largescale construction companies, which will ensure the £41 billion national development plan can be completed on time and within budget?
The Deputy gave a correct report of what I said. The Minister for the Environment and Local Government, as well as the CIF and others, have clearly indicated, given the size of some of the contracts, that some contractors may need to go into partnership with international companies. I have no problem with such partnerships, whether done through joint ventures or other arrangements. Given their enormity, the completion of some of these contracts will necessitate the employment of outside contractors, and contractors will be interested.
Has the Taoiseach any specific plans to encourage that?
In our discussions with the NRA and others, we have endeavoured to assist and encourage them in every way possible to do this.
Have they any such plans?
They have. The Minister for the Environment and Local Governments has also encouraged local authorities in this regard. Accommodation for outside contractors is an issue. It is not unusual on the Continent where they move their equipment—-
Will the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform allow them in?
He will have to.
What does the Taoiseach think of the suggestion made in some quarters that if foreign firms are brought in for infrastructural projects, they should bring their employees with them because if they recruit locally, they will drive up the cost of labour for Irish building contractors? Does the Taoiseach agree this approach is selfish and should not be commended?
I envisage that a number of these companies will bring in their own staff—
If they are allowed.
—which will be necessary. The technical, engineering and construction staff on roads projects say they are nearly at full capacity, if not over it. The projected allocation of resources to roads construction is, I think – I am subject to correction – about 1.7 times the current expenditure. As I said in that article and many other times, if someone can convince me they can move from full capacity at 100% to 170%—
What is full capacity?
Using their entire manpower, resources and machinery full time. It is impossible to move from that to 170%. We will have to rely on outside staff and resources.
