Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A Programme for Government: Our Shared Future contains a commitment to continue to invest in new road infrastructure to ensure that all parts of Ireland are connected. This is critically important from a regional development perspective. The Taoiseach will know the work both of us did in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in the context of preparing the regional enterprise plans for the north west and the west. Key to this was ensuring that part of Ireland was connected.

Last week, the funding for road projects was announced. Only €200,000 was made available in respect of the N4 road project, when €2.9 million was sought. This means that, for a second time, the N4 road project is going to be suspended. This will result in landowners and homeowners being left in limbo for the second time in a decade. The Taoiseach intervened last year to try to get additional money for this project.

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