Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is certainly encouraging to hear about this project in the context of public private partnerships. Realistically, it is the best way of getting the road built as soon as possible. If it could be bundled with the Dunkettle project, that would be the way to move forward. I ask the Minister to keep this on his radar and high on his agenda because, as Deputy Michael Creed pointed out, it is a regional infrastructural project. I outlined the importance of the new road to County Kerry, but the entire region would benefit hugely. I feel sorry for people who must live in Macroom which is a lovely town but which is completely choked with traffic, as we have seen in other places. This is an absolute shame which is holding back the town. A bypass could make a huge difference to the economy of the town and, as I mentioned, the economy of County Kerry also. I ask the Minister to pursue the public private partnership option and examine whether the project could be bundled with the Dunkettle project to have it done as quickly as possible.

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