Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Overall, I am not very enthused by the Minister's response. I understand the financial constraints the country is under but I hope part of the funding may be secured on a European basis. Deputy Heydon will talk about this. NAMA, which owns the land surrounding the proposed Osberstown interchange, is willing to put forward €10 million towards the project there. Therefore, there are outside sources of funding. The project is expected to cost approximately €110 million overall. We can identify other sources for approximately 25% of this.

I understand a capital programme is to be initiated shortly. I hope the Minister will consider this project as a priority for the capital funding being proposed for the period from 2016 onwards. At least, we might then get the project up and running. Deputy Heydon and I may refer to the local aspects of the project but it is a national one. The road is one of the main arteries in the country. It is not only a national route but also a European route. Consequently, we hope that the Minister will push the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, on the project when the capital programme is being analysed.

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