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Engineers Ireland has welcomed the Government’s commitment
to proceed with key infrastructural development projects such
as Metro North and the Dart.
John Power, Director General of Engineers
Ireland, was speaking in the aftermath of the Government’s
revised capital spending plans which pledge €39 billion to
be spent between now and 2016.
“The Government’s commitment to projects - such as Metro
North, linking Luas lines and the DART Underground as well
as water services, energy efficiency, R&D, schools, health
and housing regeneration - is encouraging. Engineers
are fundamental to the realisation of these projects, so the
new jobs associated with these initiatives offer opportunity
to the engineering industry.
"There is always a significant long-term return on investment
in infrastructure and it is critical that Ireland has the
right infrastructural framework in place so we can avail of
the upturn when it comes.”
Commenting on the €1 billion being cut to overall capital
expenditure, Mr Power said - “Ireland still has an acute infrastructure
deficit - so, while any decrease in spending in this regard
is not something Engineers Ireland would advocate, we understand
the financial constraints within which the Taoiseach and Government
must operate.
"Essentially, it is about directing funds to where maximum
return is provided for Ireland - such as water, roads, broadband
and the national grid.”
The Government’s plan
- ‘Infrastructure Investment Priorities - 2010 - 2016’
- will see €39 billon spent on major projects between now
and 2016, indirectly creating 270,000 jobs according to the
Taoiseach.
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