Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I raised the issue of Tipperary town and its task force with the Tánaiste several times last year and the year before. Thankfully, he set up a task force, which is now chaired by Alison Harvey. The task force is doing its best with the Jobs4Tipp and March4Tipp initiatives and the creation of the chamber of commerce. However, the county council is proposing to do another two years' work on Main Street, which will effectively close down the town for two further years.

We welcome the funding but there needs to be engagement. The Part 8 process closes this weekend. There have been hundreds of submissions from business people and ordinary people living there. We need a proper ring road around Tipperary town that will alleviate the problem and get the trucks out of town. Will the Tánaiste speak to the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, and the Minister, Deputy Éamon Ryan, to collaborate with all those groups and the county council to see if we can work together. Ní neart go cur le chéile. It is important that we work together and bring the people with us. They will not accept the closure of the town again for a further 18 months or two years. They cannot do it.

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