Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The amount of money involved in reactivating the planning process is relatively small. A significant portion of the planning work was completed up to November 2011 when the project was stalled. In terms of time and efficiency, it would probably take a number of months to procure consultants. They could be procured, taking account of what has already been done, so that in the mid-term review, if all is going well and funding becomes available to reactivate the project, we will not have lost time. The biggest single problem on the route is that many people commute daily between Cork and Limerick. It would be good for Ireland in terms of balanced regional development as a counterpoint to the east. We must get the project under way. I am seeking ways that are not hugely costly to push the project forward without losing time. I ask the Minister specifically to consider reactivating the planning aspect, not the project.