Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I note the Minister of State’s comparison between Athy and Mallow. They are very similar towns. I note the benefits accruing to the people of Fermoy now as a result of the recent allocation. The reason I know about Athy is that my colleague, Senator Mark Wall, has been a strong advocate for it, as the Minister of State knows. His father, Jack Wall, probably got the project put on the agenda of the NDP in the first instance. If we are talking about projects of that nature, if the Minister of State and his Government see the benefits of a relief road to Athy, hopefully they will translate that philosophy to the town of Mallow.

I wish the people of Listowel, Moycullen, Tralee, Maam Cross, Oughterard and all of these places the very best of luck. I note these projects are on what are deemed to be "lifeline routes". I have never heard that expression before in my life. I suggest that if we are going to ameliorate traffic flows through the town of Mallow, much of which is HGV traffic, then we will need to progress this project.

If we consider that one person in RTÉ can get an exit package of €450,000, if that figure was doubled, it would be small money in terms of the €5 billion the Minister of State spoke about or the €400 million that has been allocated for this year. I continue to make the case that the same logic applied to Athy be applied to Mallow. These key towns that service big populations and people in them need to see their towns flourishing again and free of the congestion that has plagued them for so many years.

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