Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the assertion that the route will be defined by the end of the year, it is hoped by the end of October. This defined route would mean a lot to so many people because their lands have been sterilised all these years. I am concerned because we do need €1.5 million next year. I am sorry to say the Green Party spokesperson from Kenmare said that Killarney does not need a bypass and that we already have one. We have a ring road that was built more than 40 years ago and has not even been resurfaced during that time. Well in excess of 21,000 vehicles use this ring road every day. We have a crisis in Killarney and all around it. It is hard to do business in Killarney town or even visit because you cannot get in and out of it in reasonable time. I am asking the Government and the Minister for Transport to ensure they approve €1.5 million out of the investment programme for next year to ensure phase 3 of the Killarney bypass, which is also known as the Cork-Kerry economic corridor, is delivered next year to proceed to design and environmental evaluation, to deal with landowners, to agree accommodation works, and to continue with a planning application in phase 4.

I hear what the Minister of State is saying, that it is the job of TII to progress this.

Earlier this year, when I asked Peter Walsh at a meeting of the transport committee if he had funding for phase 2 this year, he clearly answered that he did not. The money comes from the Government. The Minister of State has to recognise that. I am pleading with the Government. Killarney and the surrounding area have waited 24 years for this project. The Government is pumping a great deal of money into the proposed Adare bypass, but we have suffered this year already. The money for the road out of Killarney at Fossa was taken back to resurface the roads this year because that work had to be done. It was agreed that the Government was going to give the money but it then pulled it back. That is not fair.

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