Mr. Fred Barry:

If I may, I would like to say a little more about the major programme in the context of where we stand on projects more generally because this answer would be repeated in response to specific questions on certain projects. As stated, from last year to this funding levels have been cut by approximately 50%. This cut is accommodated not simply by reducing capital maintenance-type activities but also by greatly reducing the funding available for new build and improvement projects. Members may recall that when I came before the committee in November, I indicated that last year quite a number of smaller local improvement schemes were under construction throughout the country. These projects have either been completed or will be during the remainder of this year. They are not going to be replaced by new schemes under construction because the funding does not permit this.

On many of the routes mentioned, including that from Limerick to County Kerry, the N16, etc., I would like to take members back to the strategic programme that was Transport 21. I accept that it first appeared some years ago, but it set out that the NRA, with funding from the Government, was charged with upgrading or building the strategic infrastructure network in the first instance. This involved developing inter-city motorways such as the M3, constructing the Waterford bypass and various other projects. The work to which I refer constituted the first phase of Transport 21 and it was intended that as these projects were delivered, we would move on to address the many problems affecting the remainder of the primary road network and the national secondary road network. However, as we approached the end of the development of the strategic motorway network, funding ran out. As stated, we understand we are not being picked on in this regard, but our funding has been significantly reduced year on year in the interim. Consequently, we have not been able to proceed with other projects. In the context of the N16 and the projects in west Limerick on which work is not proceeding, I must inform members that virtually all major projects have been suspended. The exceptions are those projects which are funded by private finance through public private partnerships. There are a number of such projects and they are advancing. Unless there is a change in our funding position, we will not be taking any major scheme, regardless of whether it relates to the N16 or some other road, to construction in the next couple of years.

Huge investment was made in roads in County Limerick. However, most of this was in roads in Limerick city, in the first instance, and connections from there to places such as Dublin, etc. We had moved on to trying to address some of the problems between Limerick and County Kerry, but An Bord Pleanála refused us permission to build the Adare bypass. We did not withdraw our application in that regard; it was actually An Bord Pleanála which refused permission and it stated the construction of the Adare bypass was interconnected or linked with the construction of the M20 from Limerick to Cork. Limerick County Council applied for permission to proceed with the Adare bypass as a stand-alone scheme. This application was submitted at the same time as that for the M20 upgrade. An Bord Pleanála took the view that when the application relating to the latter scheme was withdrawn, it would not grant permission for the Adare bypass.

An Bord Pleanála has given its decision and there is not much that we or Limerick County Council can do about it. That is not to say there will not be other ways of addressing traffic problems in west Limerick, but without funding, nothing is going to happen.