Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his kind words. We hope we are on the right road. The problem I have, which the Minister of State might convey to the Minister, is that, in respect of the stage he announced, namely, documentation going to the Department, I have been informed by officials in Kildare County Council that this is a new stage. The council had not contemplated this stage in the building of the road.

I encourage the Minister of State to, as he said, bring this matter back to the Minister as quickly as possible so that he can give the go-ahead to Kildare County Council. We have waited 40 years for this road. I am sure if the Minister of State ever travelled to Athy he would have unfortunately been caught in the traffic that snarls the town each day.

I ask him to ask the Minister to allow the council to issue the tender documents to the six preferred tenders. At least we can then fast-track this road in the quickest time for the people of the Athy. I thank the Minister of State for his contribution today. I ask that he speak to the Minister on behalf of Athy and the people that live there.