George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour)

I thank the Chairman for allowing me to come in on this discussion. I want to speak on a couple of issues but principally about the Oilgate to Rosslare motorway. I am old enough and long enough at this game to have been around for the original route selection for that road. Of course, with the economic collapse, everything was sidelined. Then, as our guests have alluded to, the environmental impact assessments had to be redone and a whole new process commenced again. We went to the second round but we have seen two hold-ups on it. We had the change in the requirement for services. It went from every 80 km down to every 50 km so that delayed it for a little while. Then, of course, we had the active travel element of it. One of the things that concerns me is the impact it has on landowners and other people affected by it. It is absolutely huge. I am dealing with people who are 13 or 14 years in limbo, with sterilised and stigmatised land. One lady is 14 years awaiting the opportunity to apply for planning permission. We approached the team through the director of services in Wexford but we were basically told "sorry". There is about 2 yards of land involved here but because of the active travel element of it, the team could not give any concession whatsoever. I am also dealing with a family whose home and business are totally and completely affected by this and it has been going on for 14 years. I take it the active travel element is not going along the route of the new motorway but along the route of the existing infrastructure. Are we going to put cycle lanes on the motorway?