Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Will the Taoiseach progress the Killarney bypass scheme which has been suspended for many years and which way back in 2003 was scheduled to be completed some time in 2009. The new bypass is, or was, to begin on the western side of Farranfore, bypass Killarney and join the N22 to Cork and the N72 to Mallow at Lissivigeen. Another segment of the scheme is to link Muckross Road to Moll's Gap with the N22 and the N72 also at Lisivigeen. Specific plans are ready and the route has been determined and identified by the very capable staff of the National Roads Authority or Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, as it is now known, and in the national roads design office in Castleisland. The new bypass is critically important to the town of Killarney and the county of Kerry. From early May to late September every year traffic jams are a regular occurrence, especially in the morning and the evening, with people being left to sit in cars on Muckross Road, Hans Liebherr Road, Mission Road, the Tralee road to Cleeny Roundabout and the N22 from Roadstone Wood Limited's quarry at Minish all the way into town. If the bypass was in place, it would help to eliminate most of the accidents and the slaughter that occurs at the dangerous junctions around Killarney, namely, that at the top of Lewis Road, Madam's Hill junction, the Woodlawn Road-Clasheen junction and at Coolcaslagh, as well as the very dangerous junction in Farranfore village heading for Firies and Currow. Killarney is, without question, the tourism capital of the world. Built by many great local families and businesspeople, it operates the very best of hotels, restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. It has jarveys, bus operators, bicycle shops and the wonderful INEC events centre, ably assisted by the Tidy Towns committees and the chamber of commerce. The existing bypass linking Muckross Road with the Tralee road at Cleeny Roundabout is now recognised by engineers and management of Kerry County Council to be operating at maximum capacity, carrying more than 18,600 vehicles daily. Figures recorded also indicate that 12,000 vehicles pass through Farranfore daily. A total of 12,000 vehicles also use Muckross Road. The scheme which has been suspended for many years needs to be reactivated urgently.

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