Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the new Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, on her appointment. I have not had a chance to do so formally and I wish her the very best of luck with the journey ahead. People may be aware that we were in the same year in college at NUI Galway, so I am very proud of her accession to such a high position. Well done to the Minister of State.

I will speak briefly to keep the Mallow relief road on the political agenda. The M20 is very much on the political agenda regarding the roll-out of that motorway between Cork and Limerick. As part of that, however, what the people of Mallow need and require now is an assurance regarding the relief road for the town. The Minister of State will tell us that the design preparation is in play and that consultants have been appointed since November 2019. We acknowledge that and there is a process to be gone through in that regard. JB Barry Transportation has been approved as technical advisers and the study area has been identified.

This project is part of the national development plan. There is a strategic outcome which is relevant to this project and it comes under enhanced regional accessibility. I am seeking assurances now from the Government that this project will not slip down the political agenda and that moneys will be put behind this project after the consultation process is over so that the project can be delivered.

It is an essential project in giving relief for the N72 and N73. The N73 is in a deplorable state. It is the Mallow to Mitchelstown road and it needs serious investment regarding realignment. The town of Mallow for many years now, however, has been asking for moneys to be made available for a relief road. It is important that dovetails with any project concerning the M20 in a way that ensures a seamless joining of the two projects to give that relief.

I ask the Minister of State and the Government to give an assurance that this project will not slip down the political agenda. As I have said, the Minister of State will probably tell me that the consultants have been appointed. I fully acknowledge that and we appreciate that design preparation is under way. We have been there before and route corridors have been assigned before.

That is why we want to remain vigilant about ensuring that the town of Mallow is not left behind in any capital investment for roads infrastructure. It is a key reference town in the province of Munster and a key point of connectivity between Kerry and Dublin as well. I appeal to the Minister of State to keep that in mind.

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