Peter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

The N25, a critical artery that runs through Kilkenny and the south-east region, has long been plagued by an alarming number of traffic collisions. It has seen 11 fatalities, four of which happened since the proposed upgrade was suspended or paused in 2022. The volume of traffic on the route has increased significantly to almost 15,000 vehicles per day. Kilkenny County Council has progressed the necessary upgrade to stage 2 of the project approval process at an already significant cost, but we need to show the people of Kilkenny and the south east our commitment to making the region safer and recognising the pleas of people who have lost loved ones on the road. The only way to do that is to commit to the completion of stages 3 and 4 of the project approval process. The project is listed in the NDP and we cannot justify its pause any longer. We need an investment of €2.4 million over three years to get to construction. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment that this funding will be provided as soon as possible to show we have heard people's stories of loss and pain and are responding in a meaningful way?

See this speech in context