Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome my colleague from Cork to the Chamber and acknowledge his presence. As the Leas-Cheann Comhairle suggested, he has been in this Chamber many times.

I wish to raise the issue of the N71 and its status among the national priorities. The road is a major artery going into west Cork. It starts at Bishopstown and goes all the way to Bandon, Clonakilty, Bantry and Glengarriff, and then on to Kerry. It is an amazing road that is 180 km long. It has fantastic potential. If it were upgraded, it would open up west Cork and the west Cork community for more activity, be it in agriculture, fishing or otherwise. All such activities depend on having a good road network.

About 25 years ago, when I was a child, the N71 was upgraded from the Halfway roundabout at Ballinhassig and on into Bishopstown. That was the last really significant upgrade. A large section was taken out and a new, complete motorway was built. We need a coherent plan. We need to consider how we are going to develop and sustain the road. We also need to consider how the towns and villages along the road can thrive. What we are looking for is a coherent plan covering a period of several years. It would involve infrastructure such as cycle lanes and address the need for bus lanes in some areas, hopefully around towns and villages. What is really needed is a master plan. We need to regard the N71 area as one requiring special attention. That means a master plan for the next decade, to consider the 180 km and more route and the question of how to develop the area. The potential is amazing, including for tourism. Part of the road is on the Wild Atlantic Way. Whether it is for those involved in agriculture or the commuter travelling to and from Cork or another destination, there is really significant potential.

The N71 is currently designated as a national secondary road. It is not on the list as a national primary road. Addressing that is probably the first step. We need to have the road designated as a national primary road. When that is done, we should put a master plan in place for the 180 km. Then we should carry out a series of works and inform and work with the community in order that we can deliver on those works. This is probably one of the key issues for the entire west Cork region. If we can deliver and ensure the development of the road, it will mean a major change for the entire region. It has such potential. We just need to put a master plan in place to deliver what is basically a no-brainer for Cork. Addressing this will be one of the key issues in ensuring the survival of rural Ireland.