Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will ask my last few questions while the audio is being rectified, so they can be answered together. There are a few key priorities in my county in terms of the national development plan. I want to put some of them to Mr. Spratt. If he does not have time today, he may come back to me in due course. These priorities include the Shannon town flood embankments and the Killaloe bypass. A contractor has been appointed there but people want to know if it will progress. It got €4 million funding last week. How will it progress and be built? Blake's Corner and the Ennistymon inner relief road are awaiting An Bord Pleanála approval but I am anxious to hear how Mr. Spratt's Department proposes to advance it.

I refer to a crucial project. Mr. Spratt mentioned airports and the need for better connections with the existing infrastructure in the country. Quite incredibly, there is only one lane of carriageway on the N19 in and out of Shannon Airport. A large scale emergency or anything requiring evacuation is impossible. It is one of the only airports in Europe in that situation, so a dual carriageway right up to the airport terminal is needed.

The N85, which is identified as being of strategic importance in Clare, particularly the stretch around Kilnamona, is awaiting funding from Mr. Spratt's Department. It is on the desk of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I refer finally to Doolin pier which is a gateway from County Clare and the west of Ireland to the Aran Islands and which is a hugely popular place in our county each summer. It requires upgrades and it is also with Mr. Spratt's Department.

I would like some feedback on those projects. Mr. Spratt may take my earlier comments on the new chairperson role for Shannon Group plc directly to the Minister, Deputy Ryan.