The Opposition has accused the Government of incompetence following the publication of an ESRI review which is critical of aspects of the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP).
Fine Gael's finance spokesman, Mr Richard Bruton, said that contrary to Government 'spin', the ESRI report was "a fair and objective critique". But the message for the Government was unpalatable, highlighting poor project selection, poor cost control and vast overruns and expensive facilities lying idle, amongst other issues.
"The message is clear: No one is in charge. No one is taking responsibility. Money is being wasted. The taxpayer is getting bad value for money," Mr Bruton said.
He accused the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, of coming in "on cue" to discredit the ESRI in a "blatant media attack". Mr Cullen was this morning reported to have called elements of the report "nonsense".
"Clearly the Government wants to avoid accountability," Mr Bruton said.
"It has evaded its responsibility under the Freedom of Information Act. The public will not be taken in by ministers shooting the messenger rather than taking responsibility for their own incompetence."
Labour's finance spokeswoman, Ms Joan Burton, said the Minister for Finance must "own up and take responsibility for getting the National Development Plan back on track". He must, as a matter of urgency, commit to properly funding the NDP and spell out in detail how he intended to respond to the ESRI's criticism.
Ms Burton said the NDP is a major national project, which must be carried through for the sake of the Irish economy.
"This year alone the Exchequer is committing €5,558 million - or €1419 for every person in the country to capital spending. It is vital that this money be effectively and efficiency spent, but also that the level of investment be maintained," she said.
"Minister McCreevy claims to be responsible for the management of the Irish economy. On the day when the World Economic Forum shows Ireland's ranking inthe international competitiveness league slipping by five places, he needs to show that he knows that that means."