Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Without question, there is a commitment on behalf of the Government to make sure this project proceeds. The proof of the pudding is always in the eating. Despite the fact that available funding for strategic grants under the NDP was reduced in the 2021 budget, provision was still made to move the project in Athy forward. I am conscious that the overall scheme will cost €42 million. This Government and previous Governments have made an investment of €5.4 million in this project.Some €3.5 million was allocated to the council for this project in 2020. I do not believe all of that is going to be drawn down. There is a commitment there. I accept what the Senator is saying. Perhaps there is an additional layer that was not originally envisaged. The key now is from the Senator promoting it here, and I am conscious my own colleague Senator O’Loughlin has raised this issue previously as well, is that we make sure that this new layer in the process is dealt with as quickly as possible because money has been allocated. It is important that councils are enabled to draw down money that is allocated, that they spend that money, move it forward, build the road and open up the land for development because that is what we all want to see in our respective communities. I will certainly bring back the points the Senator raised to the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and hopefully we can push this forward at an earliest opportunity.