Mr. Peter Walsh:

I might address that question backwards. Of the eight projects that we were not in a position to fund at the beginning of the year, the N4 and N24 were at a point where route options were still being considered. From a planning perspective, they covered a large portion of the study area through which they were passing. We were expecting a result on the Limerick-Adare-Foynes project at the end of 2021, but the date on which we would expect an outcome on that has been moved on time and again. The judicial review of the Galway city project has meant that the commitments relating to property acquisition will now not fall within the year. As a result of these delays, it was possible for us to redirect funding. The N4 and N24 projects were the ones where the impact of a delay was significant in terms of the areas covered and the restrictions they were placing on planning. They were also the projects where the most progress could be made, in that we could agree selected routes. For these reasons, they were regarded positively. There were also requests through elected representatives to review them because of the sensitivities involved. A number of reasons were involved in those two being favoured.

Consideration is being given to the remaining six major projects that we were not in a position to fund at the beginning of the year. That process is under way and will take some time. It will take weeks; I do not expect it to take months.