I notice that the Minister, Deputy Cullen, seems to be a little happier in his brief today.

The great survivor.

Prior to the European Parliament elections in 1979, I recall that the late and much loved Seán Flanagan, from my county, announced a £500 million package to save the west. When the truth was discovered, however, the election was over. I notice that at a recent Fianna Fáil meeting, the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, seems to have got a rush of Valentine's blood to the head. He announced a package of €16 billion——

Million.

——over ten years for transport. The package included a metro line from Dublin city centre to the airport, running underground to Dublin's northside; a second terminal at the airport; an investment in road construction of over €1 billion per year; the reopening of rail services to County Meath at a cost of €156 million; a new rail station at Spencer Dock; and an underground rail interconnector linking Heuston and Connolly railway stations at a cost of €1 billion. What struck me was that at the end of Deputy Callely's contribution, as reported in the newspapers, he said he did not want to pre-empt any decision of the Minister in having this matter brought before the Cabinet.

He left the loose change in the kitty.

Later in his remarks, Deputy Callely said he had ordered reconstruction works to commence at the exit from the Dublin port tunnel that will spit out 6,000 trucks per day. He also said: "You will see a visible improvement in this shortly." Will the Taoiseach comment on the Minister of State's Valentine's Day message? Does the Taoiseach agree with this kind of carry on? Did he hear the Minister, Deputy Cullen, say a short time ago that the figures released by Deputy Callely "are just guess work and are not based on any fact"?

We now have a Minister for traffic, appointed by the Government, yet he is making remarks that are not based on facts, merely on guess work. Everybody knows that travel times have increased dramatically.

The Deputy's time has concluded.

The average car journey time is now very much more than it was. Arising from that, does the Taoiseach agree with Deputy Callely's carry on? Will the Taoiseach clarify the position in so far as the metro is concerned? Is there any basis in fact for this €16 billion, ten-year programme that has been announced?

As Deputy Kenny knows, the Minister dealt with all these questions earlier today. The Government is in the final stages of preparing the ten-year plan which was agreed in the budget. We said we would extend the envelope to a ten-year programme and would examine transport projects in all areas. That brings into play what the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, was referring to — all the current proposals that have been presented in one form or another. The Government is committed to delivering a 21st century transport infrastructure. There is an unparalleled commitment to the transport sector, including €2.1 billion in Exchequer support this year alone. Obviously, the figure for the ten-year period will be enormous. However, all these matters are under discussion at the Cabinet sub-committee. It is hoped they will be finalised in March and then the Minister will formally present them.

I thank the Taoiseach for the clarity he has brought to this matter. I have known for years that the Minister of State, Deputy Callely, is not shy, particularly at Christmas, but I saw his photograph some time ago in the newspaper and he looked like Napoleon in a hard hat when the giant underground cutter broke through at the port tunnel. He proclaimed victory on behalf of the people of Dublin as he single-handedly achieved this wonderful breakthrough. Given that he will be known as the Minster for fantasy in terms of transport, does the Taoiseach propose to speak to him about such wild announcements which are based on guess work? Despite all the remarks he made, he never referred to outside greater Dublin.

Will the Taoiseach elaborate on his views regarding an outer relief road for Dublin, which has been mooted for many years? Is there room in these proposals for any other part of the country? For instance, the former Minister for Transport, Deputy Séamus Brennan, who was equally good at making announcements, stated it would cost €300 million to reopen the western rail corridor between Sligo and Ennis. Will that ever appear at the Cabinet table? What about the south east, south and south west which have not been mentioned by the Minister for fantasy?

The figures sound enormous but the five-year plan will cost €10.2 billion. The budget for infrastructure this year alone is more than €2 billion. The levels of expenditure on public transport and the roads programme are enormous.

In reply to Deputy Kenny's important question on the regions, in recent years an unprecedented number of major high quality road projects have been completed. Under the ten-year plan, all the regions will get a fair share of the resources. The final plan must be drawn up but the intention is to build on what has been done in recent years at Port Laoise, Balbriggan, Cavan, Arklow, Donegal, Callan, Nenagh, Blackpool, Croom, Kilmacthomas, Kildare, Watergrasshill, Drogheda, Youghal, Skibbereen, Monasterevin, Ashford, Rathnew, Ballincollig, Cork and Limerick.

What about the south east?

The Mallow northern relief road should be included.

The latest on the south east is that a previously unknown, unheard of and undocumented historical site has emerged in the area but it is hoped that will be resolved. Deputy Howlin will help us to do that. The regions will get a fair share and a plan will be announced next month.