Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply but I must take issue with it. He referred to delay of the project. There is €5 million allocated to the project for this year. There is no issue with funding here. This is an issue of sign-off from the Minister to allow this road project to go ahead. He stated it is now getting to construction decision stage. If he walks the route, he will see construction has already taken place from Coonagh Cross to the back of the shopping centre and that major capital works have already taken place to raise the level of the road in the area so that the road can go ahead.

Irish Rail already has an application in to the National Transport Authority and the Department of Transport to provide a rail station in Moyross. I fully agree with the Minister about rolling out rail services, but this road project and the provision of a rail link are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are complementary. If this road is not put in, it will be impossible to have a proper functioning rail service in terms of being able to access it.

Is the Minister suddenly going to allow Moyross to continue to be a cul-de-sac? One cannot drive into Moyross from the top end. For me, this project stands on its own merits. It is in the national development plan. It was committed to under the Fitzgerald report and by successive Governments. The Minister has been a member of some of those Governments. This project is about honouring our commitment and promise to the people of Moyross and the north side of the city. My view is that it is very simple. This project stands on its own. It has nothing to do with a proper rail network, which I fully accept is needed. In fact, this project will ensure that we can advance a proper rail network in the city and have a proper functioning train situation in Moyross, along with a park and ride system, to serve the people of Moyross but, equally, they should be able to access the top end of Moyross rather than it being a cul-de-sac. It is probably the biggest and longest cul-de-sac in Ireland and that is unacceptable. I hope the Minister commits today to look at the issue and agree to sign off on it and allow the project to proceed. It is not about funding; it is about approval from the Minister. I look forward to working with him overall on rail projects in Limerick city but he should not confuse the matter. These projects are not mutually exclusive. The Coonagh to Knockalisheen road project needs to get the go-ahead now.

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