Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This road is included in Transport 21. I insisted on the coastal secondary roads being included in it. Since planning was given for the project virtually no progress has been made on the stretch from Oughterard to Maam Cross. We will not have a rural Ireland with its unique cultural heritage if we do not provide basic infrastructure. In view of the offer of the Minister of State, Deputy Kyne, to meet us on Friday in the Department's office in Na Forbacha to discuss the air service, could a parallel meeting be arranged that morning with the Minister's officials, the county council and the Teachtaí Dála and the Seanadóirí for the area to once and for all discuss how we can collectively progress this project, which is of vital interest? I do not believe that the environmental challenges are half a big as the Minister has said. What we will possibly gain in terms of the environment we are losing in cultural and other heritage in the Gaeltacht and in west Connemara.

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