John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I agree Moate's traffic congestion is bad and I have been caught there several times. However, it is still not as bad as New Ross. I feel sorry for the town's inhabitants who have become prisoners in their own homes. Some time an individual in the town will require an ambulance but it will not reach them because of the long delays. Before the Minister leaves office in the next several months, will he ensure the New Ross bypass is urgently progressed?

I am not convinced of the desirability of tolling bypasses. It has been proposed to charge a toll on the Waterford city bypass. Many people from south Kilkenny, commuting to the industrial estates outside of Waterford, will be caught by such a toll. It is unfortunate that they should have to pay a toll. The through traffic travelling from Rosslare to Cork should be tolled but it is not desirable for those using it to get access to their place of work.