Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank both speakers for being here to address the issues before us. I will turn first to TII. I have had some communication from TII. It is one of the great pities that such people cannot be here themselves to make their cases personally, but Councillor Duffy in Mayo has made a very strong case for the N26, which is a major route between Swineford and Ballina. The witnesses will be aware that literally thousands of people in rural Ireland have to commute many kilometres to work each day. I am personally aware of a number of people who commute from Castlebar to Belmullet daily - two round trips - which is quite a distance, as the witnesses will appreciate. In the response TII gave me following my communication with the Minister, I find it deeply depressing that there does not appear to be any funding available in the foreseeable future apart from the €50,000 Councillor Duffy is prepared to put into the system out of the roads budget that he has allocated to him. I have driven the road myself. It is lethal. It is very hard not to see Councillor Duffy's point when one sees the money we spend on roads in Dublin and on building new roads. The Dundrum bypass, which is just down the road from me, is one that comes to mind. The money spent on it would probably refurbish several roads in Ireland. I understand that TII has had dozens, if not thousands, of submissions on the N26. Is there any hope of getting something done on the 25 km stretch between Swineford and Ballina? The road is used by anybody travelling around Ballina, Easky, Erris or anywhere along that route. Farmers, teachers, nurses - you name it, they all use it. That is the first question. I will leave that over to the witnesses representing TII to answer.