Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as bheith anseo. The Minister will no doubt be aware of the importance of the N28. It is one of the most strategically important roads in the State. In terms of outlay in comparison to potential economic return, it may well be the best value for money. This has been on the cards for some time now. The road will link the Bloomfield interchange and Ringaskiddy at motorway standards. Needless to say, the economic case for the motorway is extremely strong, particularly in the context of the crucial strategic employment area that is Ringaskiddy, the rapidly growing town of Carrigaline and the strategy which both Government and council have developed for the Cork Harbour area, including the National Maritime College of Ireland which the Minister discussed with Deputies last week.

Cork Chamber helpfully commissioned a report, Cork to the World, in 2010 by Indecon on the economic case for the N28. If the Minister has not read it, I can tell him it is well worth reading. I will ensure a copy is left in his pigeonhole for his attention. To give a brief outline, the assessment indicates that the N28 upgrade would provide a catalyst for realising massively enhanced foreign direct investment, involving an estimated 1,100 additional high value jobs and related additional employment incomes of €97.1 million in annual terms or €1.4 billion in present value terms over a 25-year period. That is a substantial amount and crucially important to Cork's industrial future.

There are also the potential implications if the road is not delivered in a relatively short period. The Indecon report states that the estimated loss in trade that would result from a failure to provide the required port capacity - which is the Port of Cork redevelopment that is linked to the N28, to which I will return - is €3.8 billion per annum or just below 22.4% relative to projected 2030 trade. This is the equivalent of a loss of €59.4 billion when measured in present value terms over a 25-year period. Mar sin, muna chuirtear an N28 ar fáil, caillfear trádáil agus tionscnaimh.

The development of the Port of Cork, one of the most important maritime developments in the State and crucially important to Cork's industrial future, is closely tied to the N28. Phase 3 of that development, which involves roll on-roll off traffic, will not happen unless the N28 upgrade is delivered, and nor, incidentally, should it happen, as it would be an entirely unreasonable imposition on residents. The delivery of the N28 is vitally important to the local community. Residents of Shanbally and Ringaskiddy have had to suffer heavy freight travelling through their villages daily for far too long. In addition, this has the potential to assist with extremely heavy traffic in Carrigaline.

This matter is being discussed once again following a report given to Cork County Council following a meeting between Transport Infrastructure Ireland and a delegation from the council. The report was received with great disappointment by councillors. It confirmed that a number of projects for Cork would not happen within five years due to lack of funding.

It stated that a contractor for Dunkettle would not be appointed until late 2018 and, despite its being the top priority for Cork, work would not begin until at least 2019 or 2020. The M22 and the M28 will begin only after Dunkettle is delivered, and this will not be until 2021 at the earliest. The N28 hinges hugely on Dunkettle. If we are serious about regional development outside Dublin, the delivery of the N28 is absolutely key. Cork has waited long enough and it needs to be expedited.

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