David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response and for the work that he is doing in his Department and that TII and Cork County Council are doing as well.

I note the point that it is still part of the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and it is also part of Project Ireland 2040.

I also want to point out that a lot of work has been done on this 5 km route. As the Minister said, the preferred option has been identified and publicised. However, the real issue here is the safety of that particular roadway. The only way to make it safe is to follow through on the plans that TII and Cork County Council had developed to a fairly extent by identifying the preferred option route. Will the Minister, when he is discussing the review for 2025 and beyond, have another look at this particular route?

My primary concern is saving lives. I am sure the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach will agree with me as well. My own heart has been in my mouth on a few occasions on that route when I have seen what is going on. I have had a number of escapes and I know of cases where there have been accidents with older people trying to get onto that road with traffic travelling on it at 100 km/h, bumper to bumper. It is extremely dangerous. I do not want to be standing up here in a few weeks or seeing another Member standing up here bemoaning the fact that we did not take action to make it safe, apart from the fact that it can constrain economic development as well with the old Amgen site sitting there for all those years when it cannot be used.

I laud the fact that the N25 Castlemartyr-to-Killeagh bypass is getting funding and is going ahead. That is badly needed. The Mallow relief road needs further funding. I have had that debate previously.

However, I call on the Minister to have a serious look at the N25 between Midleton and Carrigtwohill. The volume of housing that has been planned for the area is dramatic and, thankfully, it is happening, not only in Midleton but in all the villages in east Cork. Everywhere I go, there are more housing estates being built as we speak.

People want to live there but they have to travel on that section of roadway. Not only is the surface very poor, but, as I stated earlier, they are medians across the carriageway. That means that people are crossing four lanes of traffic going at 100 km/h. It is bonkers. As far as I can see, there is no way of making it safe and maintaining the level of service we need.

Finally, the lake-around road for Midleton really needs attention. I would call for something such as a flyover on that because we will see a smash there also. I hope I am wrong but, inevitably, it is going to happen.

Lives are at risk here. I would call on the Minister to use his good offices to make this work happen as soon as possible.

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