Delays and under-spending during the initial stages of the National Development Plan, 2000-2006, have become a cause for concern. A recent study by Mr Jim O'Leary of Davy Stockbrokers suggested that investment in physical infrastructure would have to rise by about one-quarter over the coming four years, if the objectives of the plan are to be met. In spite of this requirement and the sudden, sharp slowing of the economy, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Mr Martin Cullen, insisted yesterday that the Coalition Government was determined to deliver on its commitments and to make available whatever funding was necessary.
Research conducted into public awareness of the plan has shown that only one in five of those questioned actually knew what it was about. And although 90 per cent of the cost of the plan will be borne domestically, compared to funding of less than 10 per cent from the EU, a majority of the public still believes in the notion of the Brussels gravy-train. In that regard, some 64 per cent believed that funding for the plan would come from Europe and were not aware of the huge investments being planned on behalf of Irish taxpayers.
The issues on which the coming general election will be fought were also identified during the course of the research. Respondents identified their main concerns as crime, drug abuse, health services, water pollution, care of the environment, waste management and litter. The top three issues fall within the remit of the Departments of Justice and Health, while the latter four are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment. It can be anticipated that, during the coming months, the opposition parties will focus their criticisms on these areas.
Apart from a general lack of awareness of the investment programmes, important reservations were expressed in connection with public/private partnership (PPP) schemes. The plan envisages up to £2 billion being spent in this way, some £1 billion of that sum going on tolled roads. Legislation is due to be introduced in the autumn. Yet only one-third of those sampled were prepared to pay a charge for PPP facilities, even where they would provide a higher quality of service and benefit the respondent's local area.