Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for being here and for his response and the detail contained within it. I acknowledge the commitment made that despite the lack of funding or progress on this project in 2022 and 2023, it will be considered in the context of the forthcoming allocations for 2024. I again note the role to be played by TII. I note the project's inclusion in the national development plan. I know that it was always going to be in the second part of this decade. I note the commitment within the national development plan to national routes and the funding specifically designated for national routes within the national development plan funding.

I reiterate, however, that this has gone through the preferred route selection stage twice. It is my contention that if it is not funded in next year's allocation, we will be back to the drawing board for the third time. The latter is a cost the State does not need to incur, and that should be taken into consideration. However, nothing trumps the issue of health and safety. TII specifically mentioned this route, this junction and this road in both its deliberations and its report. I contend that it will be the issue that will determine that, not only from a cost perspective but also, and in particular, from a health and safety point of view, it has to be included in next year's allocation. It is not as if next year would involve the funding to construct the road in its entirely; of course not. It will just move on to the next phase and construction might not actually commence until 2025 or 2026. That would be in line with the commitment that was made in the national development plan. However, in order for that to be the case and in order for us not to have to go back to the drawing board and take away another three or four years, it is an imperative that is included in next year's allocation.

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