Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

The purpose of route selection is to allow people to prepare for the future. A route is identified and land is set aside for construction in order that the road can be built in due course. It is not and should not be my role to plan regional roads from No. 44 Kildare Street. It is the role of local authorities, in this case Clare County Council. A planning process is in place. I expect the county council to listen to the views of people in local areas and engage with them actively and constructively to determine the best route which can satisfy everyone. I will not become the first Minister in the history of the State to select routes for regional roads. It is something that has to be dealt with locally. It is my strong view that consultation should take place with people affected by the local authorities and the officials concerned.

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