Vol. 574 No. 1
238 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has calculated the financial impact of the postponement or delay for any reason of various capital projects identified in the national plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26102/03]
I have previously indicated that the infrastructure programme of the national development plan will not be completed by the end of 2006, although significant enhancement of our economic and social infrastructure as a result of plan investment will be achieved by then. The matter of progress on individual projects under the NDP infrastructure programme is a matter in the first instance for the relevant responsible Minister.
At programme level, the Exchequer has provided €1 billion more for investment in infrastructure over the first three years of the plan than originally committed. Subject to maintenance of a sustainable overall budgetary position, I am committed to according high priority to infrastructure over the remainder of the plan. It will be important that this investment is targeted at projects which yield the highest rate of economic return, thereby limiting the negative economic impact of non-completion of the full infrastructure programme by the end of 2006.
