Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I acknowledge the very significant capital infrastructural investment that is being made in my constituency. This particular piece of critical infrastructure has been welcomed by the local community, but the three-year construction phase will have a very detrimental effect on people in the area. My concern is that the price to be paid to advance the project may be too high, perhaps even so high as the loss of a life. This is a village with four schools, a community centre, sporting organisations and so on, all located on the narrow local roads in and around the Donabate area.

The Minister mentioned the consultation process. I participated in that process and can say with confidence that the HSE did not take on board the views of the community. This was particularly evident at one meeting I attended together with the local Minister. The point was made by residents on several occasions that it was impossible to justify routing construction traffic over the bridge I mentioned, which is more than 100 years old and is most likely not up to the standard required to accommodate such traffic. The HSE needs to re-evaluate how this project is to be delivered. It is somewhat ironic that it might end up with somebody having to be put in the care of the HSE as a result of the construction process itself.

I appreciate fully what the Minister is saying in terms of it not being appropriate to interfere in the planning process. However, if there is an opportunity for him to discuss the matter with the HSE, following the decision of An Bord Pleanála, I ask that he emphasise the need to take on board the grave concerns of residents and public representatives in the area.

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