Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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105. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on the Tipperary town bypass; if the bypass can be fast-tracked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8898/25]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Ar an gcéad dul síos, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire, an Teachta O’Brien, agus an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Canney. Gabhaim buíochas leo as labhairt liom faoi bhóithre Thiobraid Árann. I ask both of them, but particularly the Minister, for an update on the Tipperary town bypass. Can it be fast-tracked because people have literally been waiting for it for decades? We were a long way down the road with the N24 back 15 years ago and now we are at it again. We would love to see the bypass included as part of the footprint of the new N24.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Míle buíochas don Teachta as ucht a chomhghairdeas. I thank the Deputy for the question. This has long been a matter of concern to him and the people of Tipperary, particularly the residents of Tipperary town and those who use the N24.

This project forms part of a 35 km improvement scheme for the N24 between Cahir in County Tipperary and Limerick Junction. The proposed project would include bypasses of Tipperary town and Bansha, enhance regional accessibility and improve connectivity between Limerick and Waterford.

By removing through traffic from a number of towns, there would be greater safety for road users and increased capacity on the network for both public transport and freight traffic. There would also be scope for urban environment improvements and improvements to the public realm and facilities in towns and villages, particularly the Deputy’s own town in Tipperary. This would have a positive social benefit for residents and encourage walking and cycling in the area.

The project is currently progressing through the design and environmental evaluation phase, during which detailed design of the project is undertaken, along with the preparation of land acquisition documentation and surveys. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has advised my Department that it is anticipated that this phase will conclude in the second half of this year, after which a preliminary business case will be submitted to my Department, as per the infrastructure guidelines.

With regard to the fast-tracking of individual elements of the overall project, the delivery programme will be clearer once the current project phase has concluded. However, my officials will continue to engage with TII with regard to this project, including, I can assure the Deputy, on the feasibility of fast-tracking elements of the project such as the Tipperary town bypass.

Subject to the Government's approval of the preliminary business case, the project will then proceed through the statutory processes, which will include an application for planning approval to An Bord Pleanála. It is expected that this application will be made in the first half of 2026.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for his very in-depth reply. It is a long way to Tipperary and I hope one of his first visits will be to Tipperary town to note the anguish, trauma, noise and pollution that are experienced daily owing to hundreds of trucks travelling bumper to bumper. The people of Tipperary town are wonderful. Some years ago, 5,000 of them took to the streets with March4Tipp, along with Jobs4Tipp and County Tipperary Chamber.

Tá siad ar fad ag lorg an bóthar nua. We need it. The people need the infrastructure. This is the main thoroughfare from Rosslare Port to the Port of Foynes. As the Minister said, we are going to bypass Bansha, Monard and Limerick Junction in County Tipperary and Oola in County Limerick. It is a vital project.

Before TII was dreamt of or conceived, we in Tipperary had form. We built the Cashel bypass on the footprint of the N8. We linked up afterwards when the funding came along. We have the model and it is a no-brainer to do this section and bypass the town. It is such a necessity.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy. He has strongly and passionately argued for this project. We will engage with TII around the feasibility of fast-tracking elements of the project, particularly the Tipperary town bypass. Other elements will require planning permission and to go through the process. We are committed to it, as the Deputy is. It will make a massive difference to residents in the area. If we can bypass Tipperary town, we can make the improvements I have mentioned to the public realm within the town. There will be opportunities for businesses and people to consider new enterprises in the area. We can improve the quality of life in the town centre.

I assure the Deputy that I will stay engaged directly with him on the issue. I have taken on board what he said and will keep him informed of progress at each stage.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Tá spiorad iontach ag na daoine in Tipperary, daoine óga agus daoine aosta. It is a wonderful town with wonderful people. It has got many knocks over the years but there are many community and voluntary associations in the town. I could name them. They include Knockanrawley Resource Centre, the Canon Hayes Recreation Centre and the MooreHaven Centre. There are also sporting clubs, which is huge. All the people want is to get the heavy traffic amach as an baile, out of the town, and let normal traffic and normal commerce take place. Let the people work, live and play in the town. Is mór an t-áthas atá orm chun an bypass sin a fháil ar son na ndaoine i dTiobraid Árann. We must look at this model. As I said, it was done. I happened to be the Cathaoirleach of a county council the day the Cashel bypass opened. We did that on the footprint of the N8. We came along with the M8 and linked both sections of it, and away we went. Cashel has the bypass. Clonmel has a bypass. It is overutilised now and cannot cope. Tipperary town badly needs a bypass for industry, business and social activities, and for the people to live healthy and happy lives.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Aontaím le gach rud a bhí á rá ag an Teachta. Tuigim go bhfuil an scéim seo an-tábhachtach ar fad ar son na ndaoine i dTiobraid Árann. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais chuig an Teachta go luath nuair a bheidh nuacht nua agam faoi sin. Tá súil agam go mbeidh mé ábalta dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar son na ndaoine i dTiobraid Árann, go háirithe leis na bóithre. Caithfidh mé bualadh le TII agus an chomhairle contae faoin scéim seo. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais chuig an Teachta tar éis an chruinnithe sin.