It is not too cynical, either, to point out that the most important word in that last sentence is one of the shorter ones, the one ending with an F. Nor is it too cynical to point out that some elements of the plan were announced previously.

Unfortunately, the history of national spatial plans, and of many of those from the layer beneath, like the ignored Kenny Report (it recommended building land be compulsorily acquired by local authorities for 25% more than its agricultural value and might have averted today’s housing chaos), is a litany of failed, derailed ambitions.

Despite the bruising lessons of one plan after another running into the sand, because of me-too lobbying, various interest groups have already demanded a share of the NPF cake.

They will continue to do so, as the crocodiles are fed. This characterises the very worst of demand democracy — “I’ll vote for you, but what will you do for me?”

This short-term pork-barrelling weakens the possibility of the NPF, and the country, realising its potential.

Politicians might be to blame for cornering investment, but they do no more than articulate their constituents’ — us — demands.

Be that as it may, the NPF aims to rebalance development in this country by supporting second-tier cities in a way that might help them develop at a pace closer to Dublin’s comparative bonanza, though the capital’s growth rate is expected to modify under this €115bn programme, €90bn of which will come from central funds.

Addressing the media after the launch of Project #Ireland2040
We have the plan, now let’s implement. pic.twitter.com/vC1eUEK5So

— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) February 16, 2018

This is a laudable objective that will, hopefully, realign the Pale with the rest of the country in a positive, mutually-enhancing way.

Some of the headline projects — like a Metro link to run between Swords and Sandyford, linking to the Luas, Dart, and Dublin Airport; a second runway at Dublin Airport; a motorway between Cork and Limerick and a Macroom bypass — might be described as must-do projects that have languished in the national in-tray for decades.

Indeed, some of the land needed to build the Cork/Limerick motorway was bought and fenced off decades ago.

If he were still alive, John B Keane would surely have turned the saga of the long-promised Macroom bypass into one of his comic, but savage, eviscerations of Irish life.

That the NPF will be matched to a public investment plan is welcome, as it will prioritise projects and sideline wishful-thinking objectives.

Projects should only be endorsed if they drive urban expansion, confront the housing crisis, and observe climate obligations.

Water, energy security, and broadband are pressing issues, too.

It is all too easy to be critical of the plan, but, surely, it’s time we saw the bigger picture and, for once, had faith in our planners.

It is more likely, though, that we will insist plans be diluted and then blame everyone else, when they do not deliver the promised Nirvana.

Let’s hope things are different this time.