Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I raised the issue of the M20 Limerick to Cork motorway. Since then, the chambers of commerce in Limerick and Cork have reported on the findings of an Indecon study and a RED C poll in regard to the merits of this project. The Indecon report makes a number of key findings, including that if the project goes ahead approximately 5,400 jobs could be created; the number of accidents on that route could be reduced by up to 118 - the number of accidents on this route having been a source of concern for many years; and €125 million would accrue to the Exchequer. The report has been referred to the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Transport, Tourism and Sport, and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. I note from the summer economic statement that there is to be an additional €500 million per annum in capital investment between 2019 and 2021.

I believe that the M20 is the most important infrastructural road project in Ireland. If we are serious about balanced regional development, this project must be progressed. I welcome the additional funding being provided by the Government and I hope that the M20 project will benefit in that regard. Following on from a suggestion I put to the Minister, Deputy Ross, last January, €1 million was assigned to this project and, as such, the National Roads Authority, NRA, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, are already doing the work.

I pay tribute to Martin Molony, who passed away this week at the age of 91. He was one of the first jockey super stars. I attended school with his daughters and other members of his family. He was a super star of his day, both as a flat and a jump jockey. I also pay tribute to his late brother, Tim.