Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

I understand that certain projects are no longer feasible and that it makes no sense for Government to go ahead with them. One of those projects is the New Ross bypass which it was estimated would cost €350 million. It has been pretty obvious for some months that projects like this would not go ahead during the lifetime of this Government. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, made that quite clear. I do not, therefore, understand the reason the Government allowed further money to be spent on the New Ross bypass, which might never be built.

I contacted Wexford County Council and New Ross Town Council and was told that money was spent on this project this week, which amazes me. If the Government had acted quickly enough the purchase of land for a bypass which we cannot afford to build could have been averted.

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