John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the publication of the revised national development plan yesterday, in particular the record State investment earmarked for the transport sector, both roads and public transportation.A sum of €5.8 billion has been set aside for the development of new roads, including the N24 route between Waterford and Limerick, and €11.6 billion for new public transport measures.

The N24 is, as I have said previously, a critical infrastructure project linking the mid-west to the south east and is probably even more important in the context of Brexit, with onward connections to Europe from Rosslare and Waterford ports. The N24 will be the most important national roads project to be delivered in the years ahead and will serve to link all our five cities. That is why I am proud that I and Fine Gael colleagues in neighbouring counties, Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Limerick, advocated strongly for the retention of the N24 in the plan. The NPF states we should have interurban travel of, on average, speeds of 90 km/h. I feel the only way that can be achieved is by having a dual carriageway between Limerick and Waterford.

On public transportation, it is fantastic to see the commitment in the plan to the funding of projects that will emerge from the new Waterford metropolitan transport strategy, which is at a preliminary design stage. I would like this to be expedited. It is positive to see the extension of the award-winning Waterford greenway to New Ross and the inclusion of a new Plunkett station as part of the North Quays transportation hub reinforced in the plan. Perhaps we could schedule a debate with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, on the public transport elements of the plan.

On a parochial note, I welcome the reference to an expanded campus footprint in Waterford as part of the new technological university of the south east. I understand work is ongoing with stakeholders in that regard. I welcome significant investment in housing and health and look forward to many more projects in these areas being brought forward as we seek to achieve the 50% population growth target out to 2040 contained in the NPF for Waterford.