Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

The Taoiseach is very familiar with the Ring of Kerry road from his visits to south Kerry and Valentia Island. I emphasise the importance of the Ring of Kerry. It is Ireland's premier tourist route but it is 70% substandard. The roads and footpaths through Cahersiveen have been in a shocking condition for many years. Local businesses, residents and visitors are outraged. They feel, rightly so, that they and the people of Iveragh have been forgotten. There is an ongoing €19.5 million regeneration scheme in Cahersiveen. Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, has been well aware of the issues for many years. My village of Glenbeigh is in urgent need of traffic-calming measures, including upgrading of roads and footpaths, pedestrian crossings and public lighting.

The south Kerry greenway will be Kerry's biggest and best ever tourism project, commencing in Glenbeigh and going on to Cahersiveen through the three tunnels, over the viaduct at Kells and down to Reenard Point. It is progressing well, with the first completed sections opening in the near future. However, Glenbeigh and Cahersiveen are not greenway-ready. The road in the vicinity of Filemore National School is extremely dangerous, as is the section between the viaduct and Caitins Pub and Accommodation at Kells. The condition of the road at Coad between Waterville and Caherdaniel near O'Carroll's Cove is not much better. The town of Killorglin also requires urgent attention, with both the streets and footpaths needing immediate upgrading. The daily traffic jams in Killorglin need to be addressed. A bypass is required but it is a long way down the road. In the meantime, short-term measures are required.

On the subject of bypasses, Killarney town must be put at the very top of TII's agenda. The town is absolutely choked with traffic. People are missing doctor and dentist appointments, trains and buses. It is impossible for delivery trucks, electricians, plumbers and all types of tradespeople to get from A to B. Taxi drivers tell me the town is a nightmare to get around. The Killarney to Farranfore project must be prioritised. I included in my submission on the programme for Government that the Ring of Kerry road and the Killarney bypass must be prioritised. I welcome that my colleague the Minister for Transport, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has announced €3 million for that.

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