Madam, - The ESRI and Garret FitzGerald (Nov 4th) both urge deferral of parts of the next National Development Plan because, they say, we haven't the capacity to do it all, in the time proposed. On what evidence? Theoretically, of course, if demand for scarce resources rises, then so will prices. Ireland's high inflation rate has more to do with rapacious service providers than increased construction activity. Construction labour and equipment are highly mobile throughout Europe. Moreover, we now have thousands of New Europeans in our midst, so it is hard to credit such an alleged scarcity, particularly in face of rising interest rates.
But Dr FitzGerald's second point is valid - plans for new transport systems in the Greater Dublin Area are badly in need of some co-ordination. Adding to his list, the Heuston-Spencer Dock rail link would seem to be the key to integrated rail travel in Dublin (should have been done years ago), but according to Transport 21, it lags behind all other planned new rail systems. I believe that a thorough analysis would show that this should be the first, not the last project to be completed.
It is surely the job of the Minister for Transport to knock heads together until an agreed and rigorously assessed transport plan emerges - he now proposes the Dublin Transport Authority for this task.
It too should have been set up years ago, and been the sole author of the plan for Dublin's transport. It will need the strongest of powers and leadership, if it is not to founder in a welter of talk.
Will we see it up and running before the election? Will hope triumph over experience? - Yours, etc,
MICHAEL BOYLE, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14.