Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Perhaps the request could be made in the context of her position rather than personally. On a serious note, there are only a few weeks left until the design group completes its work on the design for this route. It is being done in two phases. The phase relating to the part of the road between Cahir and Waterford is the one that has been shelved by the Minister. He has decided not to fund it anymore. We are looking for €2.5 million. Over the past seven years, this Government and that which preceded it spent over €5 million to get to this point. If this project is stopped, it would mean that all this money and all the reports done will have been for nought. The reports will be shelved for good and the money will have been wasted because we are not willing to continue with the planning application stage. This happened in 2002 with the N24. Work went on for a couple of years and then the project was shelved. Work began again on it in 2012, went on for a couple of years and then the project was again shelved. This would be the third time that we would not get to the planning application stage.

The important thing about this situation is that if we get the project to the planning application stage and get it approved, then all those reports that were done will stand after planning permission is granted. We would never have to go back to the start again. We could make a decision in a couple of years on the cost of construction. All we need to do now is to fund the project for €2.5 million to keep it going. This endeavour would have a real impact. Three people lost their lives on the N24 this year. There are many homes within the buffer zone of the N24 that are in limbo. They cannot do anything. People, including farm owners, cannot build houses on that section of the N24 because it is within the buffer zone of where a road might be built, but now the project has just been shelved and left in limbo. It is really unfair for the people living in that area of the constituency. This is a major strategic route between Limerick and Waterford. The Minister needs to fund it. We have so much money in play at the moment. Only €2.5 million is required to continue what was started six years ago and to support the south-east region.