Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Nolan for the update on the Ardee N52 bypass. It is 3.5 km long and is shovel-ready with an approximate cost of €15 million and the land is already purchased. This gives the people of Louth and the commuters some hope. I hope that TII puts this forward as a priority project. I thank Mr. O'Leary for his update on the Narrow Water Bridge and hope that progress will follow on in the new year.

I asked for an update on the A5 motorway. I had concerns about the UK decision to withdraw from the EU. My concern is that the taxpayers are investing €75 million which will go toward the cost of the A5 motorway. There is also a possibility, or rumours, that the taxpayers in the Republic could be charged to use the A5. If this project does not work out, will the €75 million be used for projects in the South, for example the Ardee bypass?

I asked about the local improvement schemes and the community investment schemes. Local roads account for 81% of the total network. I requested a breakdown of the local authorities that avail of these schemes.