Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the House. I hope he will provide good news on the upgrade of the N5 between Ballaghaderreen and Scramogue. I wish to emphasis how important the provision of capital funding is for this project, and it is a matter of urgency. I am very concerned about the high volumes of traffic using the road, which is our main route to the west. The section of road in question traverses many towns and villages and I am very concerned about the high volumes of traffic going through Strokestown, Tulsk, Ballinagar and Frenchpark and onto the Ballaghaderreen bypass.

I am also concerned at the excessive speeds at which people drive on the road. As an important route to the west, it should be much safer. Last week, there was another very serious collision and the road between Tulsk and Ballinagar was closed for several hours. This is not unique and there have been many accidents on this section of the road over the years. Four sites have been identified as accident clusters by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and up to 30 accidents have occurred on a bend in one section of the road just outside Frenchpark. Real action is needed.

I received an update from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, in February, stating that Roscommon County Council had completed the business case, the environmental impact statement and the compulsory purchase order documentation for the proposed N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramogue road project. All the documentation has been submitted to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for approval to make an application to An Bord Pleanála. Where is the project at? My understanding is that the business case was submitted to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and a response is awaited before its submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It will cost in excess of €100 million but it is badly needed. Initiatives have been launched in the context of the action plan for rural Ireland and the need for more balanced regional development and it is important that areas such as north Roscommon, which have gone through a very difficult time economically, have an adequate road network that allows people to get to their destinations in a timely and safe manner.

Can the Minister give an update on his commitment to this project? Can he also say where the project stands, in respect of the business case and the submission to An Bord Pleanála? It is our responsibility to do everything possible to reduce the risks and the number of accidents on this section of road. The part between Strokestown and Ballaghaderreen is a high-risk area and numerous accidents have occurred. We need to take real action and to invest to make the route a safer way to access the west.