Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----of that project for quite some time, as are the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, Senator Kyne, Deputy Ó Cuív and everyone in the area, and I am really glad that money is confirmed for Galway city and county. Of course, it is not just about rugby or sports. This will also be an important and much-needed events space and conference centre in what is the fabulous city of Galway.

One thing that would make the city even better would be the construction of the Galway ring road, and I am a supporter of the project. I cannot interfere in the planning process, but I am glad to see it is back before An Bord Pleanála. I hope it can make a decision soon, thus allowing us to go to tender, always aware there is a risk, of course, of a judicial review, which is why these things need to be done carefully and properly.

I know that some people will argue the Galway ring road is contrary to our climate action plan. I do not believe that is the case. I believe the construction of the Galway ring road will free up the city and road space within the city for pedestrians and cyclists, making it more attractive to residents, tourists and investors. I also take the view that by the time it is built, and we know it will take many years to build, most of the electricity we produce in this country will be from renewables and many more people will be using electric cars and other electric vehicles.

Therefore, the argument that building this road will mean more fossil fuels and more greenhouse gases being emitted in the environment is, I think, a weak one. When we take into account the improvements to the public realm and life within the city, the reduction in through traffic, better air quality and the electrification of our energy system and the increased uptake of electric vehicles, I would argue this project is not contrary to our climate objectives. I do know, of course, that any major road construction project has an impact on the environment, but having visited the site of the Ballyvourney-Macroom bypass and having seen it completed, I was interested to learn how much building techniques have changed and how things can be done in a way that has a lesser impact on the environment than was the case in the past.

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