Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The problem is that funding was taken out of the budget and taken away from projects that are included in the national development plan and allocated to projects that are not mentioned at all in that plan. We need to have clarity in this regard. The Minister's answer suggests this is all TII decision making. However, TII told us quite clearly and has stated to a number of Dáil committees that it will be directed by the Government. However, the Minister of State should not take my word, or even the word of the elected representatives for it. We had a very constructive meeting with the officials from Monaghan County Council, who have no political axe to grind. All they want to see is the development of our county. The Minister mentioned the funding allocation for the Ardee to Castleblaney road scheme. The council officials have told us categorically that the €600,000 funding received in 2023 is to meet current project commitments. Funding is not sufficient to allow design work to continue. Consultant engineers have been asked to stop work. Regarding the implications of that, they noted the road already has a higher than average collision history and that as traffic volumes continue to grow, collision frequency and severity is likely to increase. They noted failure to progress the project may impact the long-term growth and development of the north-west region. Moreover, extended delays will impact on land and property owners and restrict development along the corridors. Both these schemes have effectively been stalled. The Minister of State has spoken about progressing these roads. However, over the past two years there has been regression. We have been told by the experts in Monaghan County Council that if an extended delay is experienced, the cost will increase and surveys, investigations and design work will need to be repeated at further additional cost. This has already happened with the Clontibret to the Border road scheme. The original road was proposed in the 1990s. It was suspended in the mid-2000s and recommenced in 2008. It was suspended again in 2012 and since 2017, there has been a 400 m wide corridor that effectively has been sterilised. We need an absolute commitment from the Minister of State that he will ensure that the disgraceful attitude that has been shown towards these schemes is reversed and that we will see progress on these roads this year.

See this speech in context