James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I welcome his words on this and, as he has mentioned, the fact he came with me to visit the east Cork area, particularly the town of Youghal. Economically, Youghal needs a serious lift. People there have lost all faith in the Government. I do not believe the majority of the community there would have any issue with me stating that. As a local TD who lives there and who was born and raised in the area, I understand why. The lack of industry, jobs and investment and recent decisions on the large-scale IPA centre have led to a confluence of events in respect of which people are crying out for Government investment. A turning point in this regard will be the upgrading of the N25 corridor between Midleton and Youghal. More cars go through the village of Castlemartyr than travel on the Limerick–Galway motorway. This is a staggering statistic for a small, beautiful rural village. It goes to show how the lack of investment has had an effect. We have tailbacks and congestion stretching several kilometres in either direction morning and evening and this is having a huge impact on the quality of life. Does the Minister see why there is a need for the design consultant to be appointed urgently?

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