Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the number of projects nationwide that are or will be shovel ready in 2018, the Ballyvourney to Macroom road merits serious consideration for many reasons. The project would open up the engine of Cork city and its jobs market to a new cohort of people who wish to continue to live in County Kerry, contribute to their local economy and spend in their local community. The project would be a significant leap forward for the county and would also enable us to attract investment, thus reducing the problem of geographical peripherality that we have suffered for many generations. This is a key project which should be accelerated. While I understand that constraints apply and the scope for accelerating projects is narrow, from a national perspective, this project stands out as one that could be accelerated in the review. I ask the Minister to give it every consideration.

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