Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Finally and most importantly, will the Minister conduct an audit in conjunction with TII to determine the number of major and minor projects on the national network of primary routes which have been delayed or refused by virtue of environmental designation under the habitats and birds directives and how much additional cost has been imposed on those projects as a result? I give the Minister the example of the N26, which is the national primary route between Swinford and Ballina, County Mayo. It has been set back ten to 20 years, depending on when one dates it from. Since the refusal by An Bord Pleanála of a stage 2 scheme in 2010, the road has been developed by way of a series of minor schemes. Approximately €4.5 million has been spent but not a sod has yet been turned. It is all down to whooper swans, freshwater pearl mussel, alluvial woodland and the whole mix. This is an area in which there is already a population. This is not out in the wilds. There is an issue and I want to know how much it is costing and how far behind the western seaboard is being left. It is the same problem in Galway, Clare and everywhere else along the western seaboard that there is designated land.