Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

I share Deputy Burke's view that we expedite this as fast as we can. He is right; it is an important infrastructure piece. I have not got the answer regarding the Gas Networks Ireland interface. I will certainly ask the NTA to communicate with the Deputy because he is right. The relief road project will provide an enormous benefit to the town of Mallow. The Deputy has, with Councillor Liam Madden, been very strong in his advocacy. Businesses in the area have been equally as vociferous in pressing for the bypass to be built as quickly as possible. I am, with the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and the Department, committed to ensuring for the people of Mallow that the Mallow relief road is built as quickly possible. The Deputy rightly highlighted the gridlock in the area. I was there recently. I had to drive from Fermoy to Knocknagree. I went through Mallow and it is a bottleneck. This road will bring huge economic improvement, not just to Mallow and its people but to the wider region. I look forward to working to ensure we expedite the project.

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