Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am happy enough. Mr. Llewellyn has given a good and insightful presentation. This question-and-answer session has been equally helpful. As I said, I wish him well in his new position. Several others have mentioned the importance of the M20. From the speech given by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, in the Seanad last night and Mr. Llewellyn’s remarks today, I note that everything we do now is being couched in the context of sustainability from the perspective of climate action. Equally, though, there is a need for connectivity. I invite Mr. Llewellyn to visit Cork and Limerick, and to drive that motorway with the Chair and me in order that he can see first-hand, if he has not already done so, the absolute importance of connectivity and road safety.

We will work with Mr. Llewellyn, and I will work with him personally, to deliver in tangible ways the key infrastructural projects. I refer to what is involved to enable this modal shift away from the use of cars, in many cases. However, we still require the M20 motorway be built, and I make no apologies for being an advocate for that project. I am not being parochial or trying to be clientelist, but this project is important in the context of the NDP and the economic development of regions outside Dublin. Mr. Llewellyn has my full support. I wish him well, and I hope we will see delivery in this area. I keep saying that the delivery of projects such as BusConnects and light rail for Cork and other areas will signify the success of Mr. Llewellyn's tenure as the chair of TII and of the organisation itself. I wish him every success.