Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed with the answer as the Minister has a very important role in climate change mitigation measures. There is a proposal in Galway to go ahead with a project that will cost €600 million for 16.5 km of road that cannot be built in the near future. The outer bypass has already hit a cul-de-sac and we are going down a second one. We are failing in Galway and we need Government direction to say these projects are not complying with Government policy on sustainable development and a transition to a low-carbon economy. In the long and short term, it will cost the Government money. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has pointed this out and the Stern report from way back in 2006 also pointed it out.

It is really time to show leadership. This is a golden opportunity for Galway to lead the way with sustainable transport. In my view, that is light rail, but I am open to bus transport or a combination of same. We need leadership from the Government on this matter.

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