Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

About 30 years ago Professor Edward Walsh promoted the idea of the Atlantic corridor, linking Cork, Limerick and Galway. It was a fantastic idea to act as a counterweight, or a counterbalance, to the eastern side of the country and to ensure we had balanced regional growth and development. It took quite a while to get the motorway to Galway linked up with Limerick but it has certainly made a significant difference. Thankfully, we now have a rail route to Galway, albeit one that is too slow at the moment.

A really disappointing aspect of the national development plan, NDP, in regard to Limerick is the lack of a commitment to a M20 motorway. It is such a disappointment that 30 years on from the idea of an Atlantic corridor, we see a plan that talks about bypassing towns as opposed to building a motorway, if anything is to happen. It is a cause of consternation not only in Limerick but in Cork as well. It is further compounded by the fact that the northern distributor road, an absolutely key part of infrastructure in Limerick, is not even mentioned in regard to the NDP. This road would complete the opening up of Moyross, and I would ask the question as to whether the Green Party really want to go back there again. It would also ensure that we could have transiting buses crossing the city. It is, therefore, crucial for public transport as well as road transport. It is mentioned as being essential in the Limerick-Shannon transport plan 2040, but it is not mentioned in the national development plan. People, in particular on my side of the city, Castleconnell and Castletroy, are astounded by this. At present when you approach the Matthew roundabout, you see cars queueing outside the motorway turn off. That is the extent of the chaos and traffic congestion right now. Yet there appears to be no plan from this Government to address that matter, or to complete the Atlantic corridor. I call for an urgent debate in regard to this issue. The people of Limerick must not be left to be second class citizens again in regard to this plan.

I again raise the issue of Julian Assange. He is facing his appeal trial at the end of the month. We are very good in the Seanad at raising human rights issues. It is something we should all be proud of, and we did it again last night in regard to Belarus. I commend all the speakers in that regard. Julian Assange's only crime was to outline what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan, to expose US war crimes. If he is extradited he faces 175 years in jail. The Irish Times gave us an editorial calling for this process to be stopped. It is hardly a bastion of radical left wing thought. Amnesty International has called for it, as has The Washington Post. Why will no one on the Government benches simply say what all of us know to be true, that the extradition of Julian Assange should be stopped and the man should be released and recognised for the huge service he has done for humanity?