Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. The key point in his reply is that the review found that "the need for the scheme, as originally intended, was no longer justified". In addition, the strategic assessment report concluded that the eastern bypass had limited benefits for the M50. Those two factors were the reasons the scheme was originally proposed. I agree with the Minister of State on those points and I thank whomever prepared the reports because they came to the right conclusion. There is potential for a new transport corridor or some mechanism of connectivity from the coast right up to UCD and beyond and, more than that, there is also enormous potential for residential development. If the Minister of State has an opportunity to talk to the people involved, I would like to see there being greater synergy with the Land Development Agency, LDA, on this matter.

This is prime land, located in the wealthiest and most valuable location in the country, where we are crying out for residential accommodation, as well as student accommodation next to UCD. Let us use this resource to the benefit of everybody, whether for transport purposes or sport and recreational amenities, which are also terribly important. It is a vast tract of land. I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response.