Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I fully take on board the points the Deputy has made to me. I made a point of responding to the Deputy myself because I genuinely accept the merit of these projects extends beyond the Deputy's county as they would have an effect on the region overall. The Deputy correctly stated the projects would need to be carried out in an integrated manner because, if they were carried out in isolation, there could be negative consequences for the communities in the area and for the operation of the roads. Therefore, we need to find a way to make progress on the projects together.

The combined total cost of the projects, if they were to go ahead together, would be approximately €110 million. I am sure this is comparable to the amount of private sector investment that has taken place in businesses and business parks in the area. That said, I take the Deputy's point on the beneficial effect the projects could have. I accord to them very high priority among all the competing demands in the Deputy's constituency and the rest of the country in terms of transport and others factors. I acknowledge that the projects could have a very beneficial role in terms of connectivity and job creation. I assure the Deputy that I recognise the projects' merit and I am working on determining how progress on such projects could be made.

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