Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (Wicklow-Wexford, Sinn Fein)

The Arklow to Shillelagh greenway project, which is of great important for tourism on the east coast and in south Wicklow and north Wexford, is still stuck at phase 2. There has been no update since 2023 so two years have passed without visible progress. It will be an absolutely tremendous asset for the area, providing scenic walking and cycling routes through the beautiful valleys of south Wicklow. It will extend benefits into north Wexford and across the east coast. It will connect the villages and towns of Shillelagh, Tinahely, Annacurra, Aughrim, Woodenbridge and Arklow. As the Minister knows, the Wicklow Mountains are a great attraction. This is a unique opportunity to develop a flagship tourism project in the region. The constituents of south Wicklow and north Wexford are very frustrated that it has not yet moved to phase 3. We still have to go through phases 4, 5, 6 and 7, the construction phases, so they fear we might not see a greenway for another ten years or so. That is simply not good enough. Will the Minister explain the delay? Will he commit to ensuring the project progresses in a timely manner? Will he give a timeframe for delivery?

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