You have to feel sorry for the Government and its National Development Plan. In a time of plenty, the Government is finally getting around to proper infrastructural development - the thing lobby groups on all sides have been after for years.

But since the plan was announced, only obstacles have appeared. Frankly, it is difficult to find anyone who believes the plan will be delivered on time and to cost. First, there was the question of labour.

Finding people to keep the construction industry at its present level is hard enough and the rate of increase in pay has far outstripped any national agreements as demand rises.

The problem is becoming so acute the Government has problems getting firms to tender for major construction projects such as completion of the Dublin ring route.

Now it appears that 60 per cent of Irish quarries may not meet the specifications laid down in planning legislation going through the Dail.

If they were forced to limit their activities under pressure from local residents and new legal provisions - or to close down altogether - there might well not be enough raw materials available to complete the State's ambitious projects.

Sometimes, you cannot win for trying.

Dominic Coyle can be contacted at dcoyle@irish-times.ie