The government’s 10-year development plan comprises just 49 pages which seek to bamboozle with the budget to disguise the paucity of both commitments and detail
The National Development Plan announced today is so vague it doesn’t even rise to the level of wish list, according to Social Democrats public expenditure and reform spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan.
“The National Development Plan was announced today with great fanfare and pledges from the Taoiseach and Tánaiste that it would transform the country.
“However, these promises ring hollow – given they are a carbon copy of assurances that were made in 2021, when the last NDP was launched.
“At the time, the Social Democrats warned that plan, which ran to 184 pages, was nothing more than a wish list – which lacked detail in relation to costings, delivery times and priorities.
“Today, we have a plan so vague it doesn’t even rise to the level of wish list. Instead, the government’s 10-year development plan comprises just 49 pages which seek to bamboozle with the budget to disguise the paucity of both commitments and detail.
“This is no way to run a country – or plan for the future – and there is no indication that the government has any answers to key questions. Namely, how to stop wasting money and deliver key projects.
“The last government committed to transforming our housing and infrastructure during its term. Instead, housing delivery has stalled; our energy and water infrastructure is crumbling and no large public transport projects have been delivered.
“The failure to implement plans, and deliver infrastructure projects, is having a massively negative impact on people all over the country, many of whom are unable to afford a home or do not have access to reliable and fast public transport.
“It also poses serious threats to our economy, at a time of great international volatility, particularly given water and energy capacity are on a knife’s edge.
“Ireland is a country with huge resources and enormous potential. The least people should expect of the government is that it can invest their money wisely and name, and deliver, critical infrastructure projects that are essential to support people and economy.
“Regrettably, the record of this government is one of broken promises, wasted money and missed targets. Nothing in this document inspires any confidence that anything will be different this time.”