Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Specifically on the topic of the N72 and on Ballymaquirke, the Minister of State is confirming that the tenders have been returned, have been approved and that a contractor has been approved for the construction of the roundabout and the realignment at Ballymaquirke. He said in his statement that it is hoped the construction will start in 2023. Have the Department or Transport Infrastructure Ireland responded to the Minister of State, giving an exact time for the construction?

If there is any message that I want taken away from today's discussion in Dáil Éireann, it is the urgency of this matter. It is a safety issue. It is of paramount importance that this junction is dealt with immediately. A huge pile of work has been done and I credit Councillor Bernard Moynihan for the amount of work that he did on it heretofore. It is now time for us at a national level to stand up and make sure that it goes to construction without delay. The Minister of State said the tenders were returned to Cork County Council. Can he confirm that a contractor has been appointed or is about to be appointed and that Transport Infrastructure Ireland has informed the Department that construction will be completed in 2023?

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