Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform Sean Fleming TD has said people will judge the Government based on its inability to deliver capital projects to date rather than on the aspirational Capital Investment Programme outlined today.

Deputy Fleming pointed out that the Capital Investment Programme is heavily dependent on private investment, and that there is no guarantee that the Government will be able to secure the necessary investment to deliver on the plan.

“What the Government announced today amounts to nothing more than a wish list as we approach the next General Election. The plan covers a 7 year period and there is little certainty that any of the projects will be delivered in the medium to long term,” said Deputy Fleming.

“People will judge Fine Gael and Labour on their abysmal track record in this area to date. They have failed to invest in housing and we are now seeing the effects of this with the growing homelessness crisis and soaring rents. The Government has also missed its own targets with the provision of broadband and has failed to deliver the National Children’s Hospital as promised.

“This programme is also heavily dependent on private investment to the tune of €15bn. There is no guarantee that the Government will be able to secure the necessary capital to kick-start many of the projects it has announced. The programme is long on aspirations but short on ability to deliver. A number of the projects also remain to be put through a cost benefit analysis and planning permission has not been applied for many more. Despite this the Government has decided to include these plans in their programme.

“The people of Ireland will not be misled by Fine Gael and Labour with this phony programme. Everyone recognises that this is a wish list of what we would like to see being delivered, but unfortunately for the Government it will be judged on its inability to deliver on key infrastructure projects to date.”