Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of the N5 project between Ballaghaderreen and Scramoge. It is positive that An Bord Pleanála has given approval for this project, which has long been needed. It will involve alignment of approximately 15 km of existing roads and a new carriageway of approximately 35 km. It is important because this is a dangerous stretch of road. Motorists travel at high speeds through the villages of Frenchpark, Bellanagare and Tulsk, in particular, to and from the west. Now that An Bord Pleanála has issued approval, it is critical that this project be progressed to construction as quickly as possible. It is important that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, gives us an update on the project. It is included under Project Ireland 2040 but it is critical that construction progresses without delay because there is a high risk involved and there have been far too many accidents on this dangerous stretch of road. It is nonetheless positive that An Bord Pleanála has given approval. Significant work has been completed by the national roads design office in Roscommon, which should be strongly complimented on all its work thus far. It is to be hoped we will see progression in terms of the project being led to construction very quickly.