Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I get that. We talked about the Galway ring road and all the rest of it. The eastern bypass would have been right beside me if it went ahead. I dealt with issues where land was sterilised for roads that did not go ahead and people could not even build house extensions. Some 30 years later, they are still not able to build house extensions. They would have been quite happy to build the extension and, if needs be, knock it down. They would, at least, have had the use of it for 30 years. I get that. At the same time, however, once road reservations are gone, they are gone. There is a challenge there because although they might not be used for roads, they might be used for a greenway, a Luas line or some other form of active travel activities. If you build on them, they are gone forever. I get all that too.

I thank the witnesses for their engagement. A significant number of members and non-members have taken part. I thank the witnesses for their ongoing engagement with the committee and all Members of the Houses. I wish them well in all their endeavours. I will send on the queries for response. I appreciate that they are willing to take those queries on board. I thank Mr. Walsh and Mr. O'Neill for being here to deal with this important matter.