A short interview with Paraic White, former head of the IDA, and myself was broadcast at lunch time on the RTE Radio 1 "This Week" programme, giving our reaction to the recent budget.
The piece was recorded yesterday afternoon with Colm O'Mongain. In the broadcast, I focussed on the reduction in 1Beuro infrastructure commitment in the budget and its impact on the construction sector. I noted that the Solidarity Bond, announced in the budget, could be used to "back-fill" the shortfall. In the context of the 'smart economy', I felt that infrastructure investment not only in broadband, but also educational facilities at all levels, and transportation - including freight logistics - continued to be important. I also noted that fundamental infrastructure, such as water quality, flood management and coastal defences, were often taken for granted but were clearly key. Finally I noted the irony of a carbon tax on fuel combined with a reduction in investment in improving roads and railways: better transport infrastructure could reduce our carbon footprint by improving traffic flows.
The actual broadcast interview was shorter than the recording: I had also made some comments about international competitiveness, which were not broadcast.
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