Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When I last raised the issue of the N6 Galway city ring road with the Minister on Leaders' Questions on 25 May 2021 I highlighted the plight of the 54 families and individuals who were to lose their homes to make way for the road. I sought a commitment from the Minister that once a decision was made by An Bord Pleanála to go ahead with the project that top priority would be given to putting in place a scheme, without delay and regardless of subsequent legal or judicial challenge, to enter into negotiation with any householder affected by this who wished to sell and move on but was caught in limbo. Not all householders want to sell. Some are willing to wait until the process is complete.

The Minister expressed sympathy for the plight of these people whose lives have been put on hold for the past seven years since the preferred route for the current ring road plan was published back in 2015. Since then, the owners of 44 homes to be demolished and a further ten homes to be bought to facilitate the ring road project have been caught in limbo. They cannot sell a house pencilled for demolition. This meant neither could they move on with their lives and set up a new home elsewhere.

The Minister promised that subject to a decision of approval he would encourage Galway County Council through its negotiation strategy to assist these householders who have been affected. He said he understood that Galway County Council had already established and advanced the negotiation strategy for the road project . He stated all affected householders were invited to participate and he encouraged Galway County Council as I have outlined. He also stated the Government would do everything it could in this regard to assist the householders who have been affected.

The decision in favour of the Galway city ring road has been made by An Bord Pleanála. While three High Court actions have been taken challenging the decision, we cannot leave these homeowners linger in limbo for years. The most recent proposal would mean a total of 14 years. They deserve to be allowed to try to move on with their lives. The time for this is now. Will the Minister put in place a scheme to facilitate the householders who want to sell and move on and not leave them hanging on for years and years to come while the legal challenges are taking place?

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