Mr. Peter Walsh:

I will refer to the outcome of the mid-term review and the Minister's statement, which we welcome. It names the section of the network to be the subject of a planning development, namely, the Cork-Limerick route. The Deputy is seeking a cast-iron guarantee but there can be no cast-iron guarantee given. There will be two sets of approvals for any project being brought forward. The first is the approval of the business case and the cost-benefit analysis. Separately, there is planning approval for the CPO by An Bord Pleanála. What I can say is that one of the objectives of the scheme will be to address the deficiencies of the existing N20. I hope that provides some clarity.