Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this item for discussion on the Adjournment and thank the Minister for taking it.

I appeal to the Minister to fast-track the Tipperary Town bypass, which is part of the N24. It is vital to the economic and social development of the town, west Tipperary and south Tipperary generally. There is considerable frustration in the county, particularly in west Tipperary, as a result of the considerable delays relating to the project. It has been ongoing for very many years and was promised by successive Governments.

Tipperary Town Council, South Tipperary County Council and Oireachtas Members for Tipperary South have been meeting Ministers and Department officials about the bypass for 12 years or more, yet the very important project has not been commenced. It is effectively the link between Limerick and Rosslare. It is vital to the economic and social development of the county.

The main street of Tipperary Town is choked with traffic every day. Business is affected. The health and safety of the population is affected on an ongoing basis. Tipperary Town is a RAPID town and has very high unemployment. It had high unemployment even during the Celtic tiger years. The bypass of the town is vital to business and economic development in the town and south Tipperary generally.

There was a positive cost-benefit analysis of the project. The environmental impact statement is being prepared, as are the compulsory purchase orders. I appeal to the Minister to fast-track the project urgently. If we are to proceed as we are doing at present, it could be more than six years before it will be completed.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I reply in this debate on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar. I thank Deputy Healy for raising the matter on the Adjournment and for the opportunity to address the issues involved.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for overall policy and funding relating to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The NRA has informed the Minister that the present situation with this project is that the N24 Pallasgreen to Cahir scheme, which includes the bypass of Tipperary town, now incorporates the N24 Pallasgreen to Bansha scheme and the N24 Cahir to Bansha scheme. Consultants have been appointed to progress the environmental impact statement for the scheme and it is anticipated that this will be ready for publication later this year. The allocation for this work in 2011 is €456,000.

The Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, understands the Deputy's concern for the development and growth of the town of Tipperary, as I do, given that I am a frequent traveller in that direction. However, in the funding of national road schemes such as this it must be emphasised that progress on particular road schemes will be very much dependent on the availability of funds within a reduced capital budget. I am not in a position to say any more than that this evening. The environmental impact statement and planning for the scheme should be advertised later year.