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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Public-Private Partnerships.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

395 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out a financial cost benefit analysis to establish the impact on the taxpayer and on the motorist of the use of public private partnerships to produce a toll road infrastructure; and if he has satisfied himself that this is a good deal for the taxpayer. [21912/01]

The question of the pros and cons of particular approaches to investments in roads is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. In general terms, I can say that at the heart of the PPP approach is the concept that better value for money can be achieved for suitable projects through the utilisation of private sector expertise, enhanced scope for innovation, the use of whole life costings through the integration of design, construction and operational functions and the accelerated delivery of public infrastructure. As with every infrastructure project, there are requirements and procedures to ensure that the Exchequer is getting best value for money and that the business case for proceeding with a project on a PPP basis stands up when compared with the alternative of proceeding on a traditional basis. It is Government policy that each PPP project will be evaluated on its merits and that PPP projects will be pursued where it can be demonstrated that there is value for money to the Exchequer over the lifetime of the PPP contract.

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