Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Would be prudent from the point of view of value for money for the State and taxpayer, considering the considerable amount of money that has been spent on that project since 2004 when it started, that the project would continue not only as an emerging preferred route but as a route with planning permission? Should it be necessary to delay the main capital spend, based on current timelines, it will be 2033-35 before the bulk of that money will be needed. Would it be prudent for the Minister or the Government to allow the project to continue to the next phase, phase 3? An emerging preferred route locks the land. TII still has to hold on to other routes in case an environmental issue crops up on the emerging preferred route. Lands have been locked for up to 20 years and even when an emerging preferred route is announced, that will continue. Would it be prudent on the part of the Government and provide value for money for the taxpayer to continue funding the project to get to the stage where planning permission has been secured and a route locked in?