William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)

These two projects must be included in the revised national development plan to address fair regional development, align with national goals, reduce emissions, promote balanced regional development and support active travel and safer roads. The Portlaoise northern orbital route and the Mountmellick bypass projects would complement existing investment in the region's rail network. I urge the Minister of State to work with these county councils and Transport Infrastructure Ireland to ensure that the Portlaoise northern orbital route and the Mountmellick bypass are fully recognised and funded within the revised NDP.

When I was a councillor, I sat in Laois County Council during the previous NDP plan, and we were not included. We got nothing out of it. We were told the plan was closed for ten years, but because there was a general election that envelope was opened up. I assure the Minister of State that now that I am a TD, I will make sure these projects are in it. When the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, came off at junction 17 recently, he saw the road that goes down through the business park and travels solely to the west of Ireland. Not one shilling did it get from the former Minister, Eamon Ryan. I pleaded with him to give us money, but not a fivepenny piece did he give us for that. We funded that out of our own coffers in Laois County Council, so the Minister owes it to us to put us into that national development plan.

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