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DOWN THE LINE
'People will make their own choice' - Taoiseach says spending promises are not electioneering
The governments capital investment plan was announced today at Heuston Station.
Updated at 11:07pm
TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has denied that infrastructure spending plans announced today are about the next election.
Speaking at Heuston Station as the government committed to €27 billion in investment over the next six years, Kenny said that a judgement will be made by voters.
“There are those who say it’s politics orientated, believe me it’s in the interests of Ireland. The people will make their judgement in any event,” he said.
“The election is a matter for the people. As we’ve said, our focus is about preparation for the budget. Our focus is on delivering a realistic affordable plan that impacts on all regions of the country, people will make their own choice in due course.”
Much of what’s contained in the plan includes provisions for projects that have already been announced such as the National Children’s Hospital and expasion of the Dublin Dart line.
Kenny said the plan is “prudent and consistent” in its approach to balancing the books but added that, “the time has come to invest to secure the recovery”.
The Infrastructure and Capital Investment plan outlines €42 billion of spending, €27 billion of which will come from the public purse from 2016-2021.
Some of what’s been announced includes:
Transport
Spending on transport projects makes up over a third of what’s being invested at €10 billion.
A suggestion to revive the previously mothballed Dublin Metro North scheme was made last year and the government has now confirmed that it will be built, beginning in 2021.
The plan envisages that it will be open by 2026/2027.
The government says that it will cost €2.4 billion and will run from St. Stephen’s Green to Swords via Dublin Airport. It will be 16.5 km in length, just over half of which will be underground.
Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has also pledged a €6 billion investment in the country’s road network.
The minister says that €4.4 billion of this will be invested to improve existing roads.
Some of these improvements will include the upgrade roads of roads such as:
- Grangecastle Business Park in Dublin.
- The M7 Naas to Newbridge widening scheme.
- The N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange.
- N5 Westport to Turlough.
New road projects include the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy motorway and a by-pass of New Ross.
Health
The capital plan makes provision for €3 billion in healthcare infrastructure spending up until 2021.
This includes investment for the National Children’s Hospital at the site of the current St. James Hospital could be completed in five years.
Also included is the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital to St.Vincent’s Hospital and a new mental health facility in Portrane.
The government is also promising specialist intensive care units at Galway, Cork and Portrane.
Social housing
The government’s plan says that “everyone should have access to good quality housing” and pledges an investment of €3 billion to increase the supply of social housing by 35,000 homes by 2020.
First published at 3:05pm
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