Mr. Dominic Mullaney:

We have had the appraisal. There is one particular aspect of the appraisal on which we are seeking more information. It relates to the public transport analysis. We believe that an origin and destination survey is required to identify where people are coming from and where they are going to. The reason I say that is that before we rule out a public transport option - I am not saying what the correct option is at this stage - we need to see what the possibilities are for people being able to use buses or trains. TII estimates that it takes between eight and 13 years to bring a road from start to finish. In a case such as this, it could take between eight and ten years, which is a long time. By that time, it is hoped the NDP will have delivered major public transport improvements on the rail corridor to Drogheda and Dundalk. That is the analysis that needs to be done before we decide that the road option is the appropriate one.