Mr. Nigel O'Neill:

I thank the Deputy for the question on the N24 and specifically the Tipperary town bypass. The preferred route was published in May and work is progressing on phase 3, which is design and environmental evaluation.

This year we allocated money to Tipperary County Council to progress that work. Without prejudice to the whole design process and the environmental impact assessment that needs to be carried out with the schemes that are brought to An Bord Pleanála in due course, the intention would be to progress the Tipperary town bypass element first.