Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to comment on Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and how effective it is at delivering projects. A debate is required in the House with the Minister responsible for transport regarding these issues. Bandon in west Cork has had an unfinished bypass for the past few decades. There is currently a process of putting forward proposals for a new extension to this bypass, which is badly needed. I met representatives from TII last Friday to discuss the project. It is at stage 2 of a six-stage process and it could take another five or six years to deliver the project on the ground. In the meantime, Bandon is choked up. Thousands of articulated vehicles go down South Main Street and past my office every day. They are absolutely choking the town. The town wants to breathe and to be part of this vibrant energy that we have in west Cork. Because of the infrastructure we have, it is literally crumbling. Yesterday, one of the articulated lorries on the half-finished bypass lost its load and there was chaos for several hours.

The need for TII to deliver these projects in a more time-efficient manner is urgent. We need to make sure that the legislation is changed, if required, in order that we can have processes that are more effective and appropriate to what is required by society. Society wants these infrastructure projects to be delivered. Nobody wants thousands of articulated vehicles going through the town of Bandon every week. They do no good regarding safety of pedestrians, the toxic fumes they are producing or anything else. Even when it comes to motorists being held up in the gateway of west Cork in Bandon in traffic jams every morning, it makes no logical sense. We need to find a process so that TII can work more effectively. A debate with the Minister would be a healthy start.