Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have had very good meetings with council members about the north ring road in Cork. There is a variety of plans and I am trying to remember the full details. I recall the argument being made for immediate construction of a new distributor road for public transport and good active travel measures. I am trying to recall the geography of this across north Cork. I spoke with the council members and it seemed that the upgrade in the road network there was needed. I will have to come back with the details.

There is the wider question of an outer motorway or distributor road and this is connected with a variety of other matters to be considered. Included in that is the advancement, in my mind, of significant rail infrastructure projects in Cork. This includes the twin-tracking from Midleton to Kent Station and the building of new stations in the likes of Monard or Blarney on the way to Mallow, giving the potential to develop a new metropolitan rail network for Cork that would particularly benefit the city's north side. That is a project that would bring significant enhancement on housing and other matters.

I agree with the Tánaiste on a two-island approach and it is why we are in regular contact with the UK Government. That is clearly framed by the fact there are two administrations on this island and a Border we cannot seal. It makes sense in that context to work on a two-island basis.

The Deputy mentioned a 20% figure and it relates to the overall capital funding, with 10% for walking and 10% for cycling. They dovetail significantly but it is an OECD recommendation. It is following international best practice.

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