Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming into the House and I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for selecting this important topic for the Topical Issue debate. I want to speak to the Minister about the public consultation currently under way on the route corridor options for the N2 Clontibret to the Border and the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney road schemes. Before I make my argument to the Minister, and I do not want that to sound negative, it is important that I say that I am speaking on behalf of the residents of Donaghmoyne. The residents, along with everybody else living along this route, are acutely aware of the importance of saving lives. There is no adversity in terms of that ideology. Saving lives is of utmost importance. By the same token, however, we must take into consideration people who will be most affected by such a project.

This particular project is being rolled out by Monaghan County Council in partnership with Louth County Council, in association with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, to develop a scheme to upgrade a 32 km section of the N2-A5 Dublin to Derry road. We all acknowledge that this scheme is long overdue and much desired but I am speaking on behalf of the residents of Donaghmoyne who are very concerned about the scheme, particularly the Ardee to Castleblayney section, which involves changes to the existing road. It is bums on seats, so to speak, that make us acutely aware of the concern and frustration among these residents. Donaghmoyne is a rural part of south County Monaghan but hundreds of people turned out for the public meetings on this issue. I understand more than 800 submissions have been made in the public consultations that were invited by the local authority. People are not just talking about this issue; they are writing about it in submissions. That hundreds of people turned out for two public meetings is a way to gauge the importance of this issue to them. The concerns of the residents are well-founded in terms of the environmental impact of any new route. It is important to reiterate that road safety trumps everything but we also must take into consideration how the residents will be affected; some believe they will be adversely affected.

There is a groundswell of support in terms of wanting transparency from the TII on the issue. Derek Maguire has been active in chairing these public meetings where he brought clarity to the issues for the local community. That is why I am delighted that the Minister came into the House to hear about those concerns. The residents believe there are questions to be answered by the TII. Residents need transparency on each of the route options. A number of options have been proposed and they want transparency on how options are being selected. They want to know the process through which submissions are being received by the local authority and how it will select a final option.

Monaghan County Council has appointed a consultancy firm in advance of this project to put it through the planning and design stage. Residents want to know who will be in control of the compulsory purchase orders, CPOs, that will affect a new route. In the event of a new road being established, will the Government and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport provide the funds necessary to Monaghan County Council to maintain the original road, which is the N2, as well as the new road, or will it be allowed fall into disrepair? The residents have a real concern about speeding traffic and fatalities on that road. They want to know that there will still be an acute Garda presence and speed cameras on that route. I will conclude and allow the Minister to address some of those concerns.

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