Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know that when one crosses the county bounds heading for Cork, one runs into that particular problem every day. The National Roads Authority has responsibility in terms of the preparation, presentation and design of major road infrastructure throughout the country. The Government's role is to be able to provide the facilities and money to deal with infrastructure development, whether roads, bridges or whatever. There is a €42 billion capital programme out to the mid 2020s. If someone from the NRA says that the project is not due to go ahead until 2022 or whatever date Deputy Healy-Rae said, then there is a reason for that, whether it be objections or compulsory purchase orders or whatever. Those in the authority are professional in the way they do their business in respect of all the roads in the country. I recall when the capital programme was being put together that this road was deemed to be a priority. However, it is not for the Government to say that a route has to take this line or that line or a particular design based on the geological formation for the development of a road. As Deputy Healy-Rae is aware, from Ballyvourney outwards there are some difficulties with the terrain.

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