Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have two local questions for the Minister. With regard to the Limerick northern distributor road, the Limerick metropolitan area transport plan was finally published. At our briefing with NTA representatives in recent days, I asked whether they interacted with the Minister and his Department to see whether there was a way forward. As the Minister is probably well aware, the Limerick northern distributor road was included in the initial draft. He issued an instruction or direction, or wrote a letter, to the NTA to take it out. Did he have discussions with the NTA? Why was he so resolute that the second leg of the northern distributor road would not go ahead, considering the position on first leg, into Moyross, and what it would bring in terms of public transport? Could you give me his views on that? Many people in Limerick saw the proposed route as a natural way of enhancing the public transport offering by bus along the corridor as well as facilitating cars.