James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is good to see TII before the committee today and I offer big congratulations on the opening of the Dunkettle Interchange. It would be remiss of me not to mention the full opening of the Ballyvourney to Macroom scheme. Both projects were done in a very timely manner with very few problems, despite the engineering challenges involved. Senator Craughwell referenced overspend. This has never been an issue for TII to my knowledge. I recognise that and say that when a project gets going TII seems to have a track record of delivering success in it. All of us have an obligation to recognise this.

I want to ask about the Midleton to Youghal scheme. An allocation will be made this year for the appointment of a design consultant. I want an insight on where we are with it. Mr. Walsh knows it is important to me. I recognise that Deputy Stanton, my Fine Gael colleague in Cork East, is also here. It is important to both of us. We want to see is being built. I do not need to tell the witnesses that the N25 between Midleton and Youghal has a very high rate of fatalities. This stretch of road has a very high rate of accidents, particularly where it feeds into Castlemartyr. Sadly a number of people have been killed there in car accidents, particularly around the Two Mile Inn. It is sad to say and it is something that should have been addressed many years ago. We are looking forward to progress on this and I would like an insight on it. We know that money will be allocated this year for the design consultant. Will the witnesses give us some guidance on this process?