Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister mentioned balanced regional development. There has been much commentary and many newspaper articles have been written about the M20 between Cork and Limerick. Taking Deputy Cathal Crowe's point, there is a real need for the project. There should be no ambiguity around the Cork to Limerick motorway. That corridor from Cork to Limerick is critical to the economic development of both Cork and Limerick and it is about balanced regional development. It is a pivotal project that must go ahead and supported by all of us in the Government. I accept the Minister's comments around different issues with transport and different ways of travelling - these modal shifts - but we are talking about enhanced regional accessibility and connectivity. In the context of the national development plan, Cork is the counterfoil to Dublin or Belfast so that road is pivotal.

We can look at the route from Rosslare to Waterford to Cork. The urban network of motorways is important and I really hope the Government understands that. It is important we stick with the messaging in a time of Covid-19 when it comes to economic development of regions outside Dublin. That road corridor is important.