Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise an important issue that came to my attention this morning relating to the removal of a road project from a report. This is the second time the project has been removed. The Limerick-Shannon metropolitan area transport report was launched during the week. The northern distributor road has miraculously disappeared from the agenda again. It was previously removed but, following fierce opposition from local councillors and Deputies, the project was put back into the report, but in the final report from the National Transport Authority, it has disappeared. It beggars belief. Where has the road disappeared to? It is necessary for the economic development of the area and for opening up the Moyross area. I acknowledge that a railway line and new rail station were announced for Moyross last week. While that is welcome, we still need the road. We need it to finish the bypass of Limerick city and to stop unnecessary traffic from coming into the centre of the city. The University of Limerick is looking at a significant expansion and many businesses are looking at opening in that area. If this road project is not put back into the report, we will go nowhere. It is a serious issue. I would like the Leader's support on this. I will speak to the Minister for Transport today. It only came to light in the last 24 hours that this road is missing from the report. I ask the Leader for her support on that.

Limerick Going for Gold was held last night. I congratulate Adare Tidy Towns on winning the overall prize of €10,000 and Castleconnell village on coming in second place. It was a highly competitive competition. Many Tidy Towns groups in towns, villages and the city have actively engaged in cleaning up annually and carrying out environmental works in their local areas. It is a wonderful competition. I thank J.P. McManus and the McManus family for their sponsorship of the competition each year. It helps areas, towns and villages to look well and encourages residents to participate.