Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I express my support for Deputy Lowry's comments on Mr. Walsh's closing remarks. They are very serious, and the committee should take on the issues that have been outlined. So many projects throughout the constituencies of all members of the committee, and indeed all Members of the Dáil, are being held up for various reasons, whether legal, planning or procurement. We really need to cut through those reasons, particularly given the newly published national development plan and the ambitious targets that have been set out in it.

One key project in County Clare is the Blake's Corner project, that is, the N67-N85 inner relief road. The project is critical for connectivity in north Clare. There is massive disruption there, particularly in the summer months, with tailbacks entering and exiting Ennistimon, a thriving market town in north Clare. This project has been put forward, is being led by Clare County Council and is critical. There was an oral hearing on it over two days last year, on 9 and 10 June. We are nearly a year on and there is no progress, no report and no further advancement of this key project. It just goes to show what Mr. Walsh said about what is happening on the ground.

These issues need to be resolved. We need a massive shake-up of An Bord Pleanála, what it does and how it deals with projects. This is key infrastructure, whether roads or even green energy projects.

An Bord Pleanála sits on those and does not deal with them in the expeditious way they should be dealt with. In that regard, could Mr. Walsh provide me with an update on the key critical project for north Clare, the Blake's Corner project? What type of engagement has TII had with An Bord Pleanála? Obviously, TII is limited and is waiting for the independent report, but to what extent can TII push that at all? Perhaps someone might respond on that.

In addition, the remit of TII includes the roll-out of greenways, which is very exciting. There are two serious projects in Clare that are advancing and taking on a little pace, particularly the greenway that is proposed for west Clare, the west Clare greenway. It starts in Ennis-Clarecastle and goes down to Kilkee. Some €200,000 has been spent on development works and €800,000 was committed last December for more works to progress the project. Perhaps I could get an update on that and also on the Shannon greenway from Limerick city to O'Briensbridge and on to Scariff, which is another exciting greenway development.

Another issue has been brought to my attention by a number of landowners in Meelick in County Clare, which is just beside Limerick. I have been dealing with the local community there and the local GAA club. There is a problem with flooding. I have been engaging with the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy O'Donovan, and he arranged for works to be carried out there last year. There is an extension of this work but it involves a culvert there that is in the control of TII. I understand the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, has been in touch with TII, but I would appreciate if Mr. Walsh could make sure that TII plays its role to alleviate the flooding on that key culvert near Meelick under the N18.

Perhaps Mr. Walsh will respond on those issues.