Objectors 'robbing taxpayers'

Minister for Transport Martin Cullen marked the first anniversary of Luas services and the opening of the final section of Dublin's M50 yesterday with a swingeing attack on objectors who delay major infrastructure projects.

Speaking at St Stephen's Green after he cut a cake to mark one year of Luas services, Mr Cullen said those who cause unnecessary delays to major State projects were "robbing money from taxpayers".

Mr Cullen continued: "When the proper independent processes have been gone through, that should be the end of it. I want to see an end to the day when people are continually going to the courts simply to stop projects.

"They are robbing money out of the taxpayers of the country by doing this," he said.

As he opened the final section of the M50 at Sandyford just over an hour later, Mr Cullen returned to the theme saying "delays cost the State a fortune".

"I am a democrat . . . when decisions are finally taken by statutory processes, that should be the end of it," he added.

Mr Cullen also criticised "begrudgers" and "hurlers on the ditch" who, he said, would no doubt "put the blinkers on and revert to negativity".

The M50 was built over the last 17 years at a rate of about two kilometres per year. The final section, which opened yesterday, was challenged by legal action from Jackson Way, a property company which was investigated by the Flood/Mahon tribunal into planning corruption.

The scheme was also challenged by the group known as the "Carrickminders" when it was discovered that the medieval remains of Carrickmines Castle were under an interchange planned to serve the Jackson Way lands. Because of a Supreme Court challenge undertaken by the Carrickminders, the Carrickmines junction on the motorway will not open until October at the earliest.

The development of Luas was delayed while the Government decided whether or not to link the red and green lines in the city centre.

The Government decided in May 1998 not to link the two lines in the city centre, but the Rail Procurement Agency is currently studying options for linking them up.

Yesterday's road opening was attended by a large number of politicians; members of the National Roads Authority; contractors Ascon; John McDaid, the senior engineer of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; and Conor Faughnan of the AA.

Mr Faughnan said the road had been built at a speed of just under two kilometres per year and was an example of Ireland's inability to deliver infrastructure quickly.

Calling for the immediate introduction of the proposed Critical Infrastructure Bill, he added: "Internationally it is an embarrassment for Ireland that despite our wealth we cannot get these crucial projects done in a reasonable period of time."

A spokesman for the Carrickminders said the Government had "learned nothing about how heritage should be preserved from the Glen O' The Downs case; nor the Carrickmines case and now the Government is about to repeat the farce on the M3".

Last night, Mr Faughnan said the overall volume of traffic on the new stretch of motorway was quite low. But he said this was probably because many drivers were not aware it was open to the public. "In traffic terms, it has had a quiet first day," he added.