Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Again, I thank Deputy Sherlock for raising this important point. I completely understand the need and desire to see progress in this area. Unfortunately, if we are to continue the analogy with Athy, we were a long time waiting as it is a slow process that is exceedingly frustrating for everybody who is impacted. Public representatives have to stick with it and continue to highlight the issues to get projects through each of the phases that can cause delays along the line.

In line with the NDP and Government policy, the Minister for Transport has allocated national road funding for 2024 in a manner which seeks to achieve the following key outcomes: protection and renewal of the existing national road network; progressing major projects in or near construction; progressing major projects which are pre-construction but well advanced in the development pipeline; and prioritising any remaining funds for major projects which provide for local bypasses and compact growth in Ireland’s towns and villages.

The programme for Government commits to continued investment in new roads infrastructure to ensure that all parts of Ireland are connected to each other. In support of this, during the period between 2020 and 2024, approximately €366 million in Exchequer capital funding was allocated for the national road network in County Cork, which Deputy Sherlock represents. This has resulted in many improvements to the network, as demonstrated by the Dunkettle interchange project, which was recently opened. National secondary roads have also benefited from this investment and we look forward to seeing more investment in these roads and projects such as the Mallow relief road being progressed in the near future.

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