Jack Chambers said the ‘slow pace’ at which the state completes projects is ‘probably the biggest contributor to our wider issues around housing’.

The revamped National Development Plan is to be announced on Tuesday.

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council said Government needs to ensure there are enough construction workers for infrastructure projects.

Newly released files show that the cost to Northern Ireland of the bridge from Warrenpoint to Omeath would have been €241,350 (£200,000).