Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will mention one or two good stories and request that the Minister come to the House to discuss an issue. Yesterday was a huge day for our area because the N5 bypass, which has had an up-and-down history in recent years, was sanctioned by the Cabinet and will proceed immediately. Taking into account the work that will be done around towns and villages, the whole project will be worth €450 million. That is a clear statement that this Government is committed to rural Ireland and to giving it funds.

The Leader has been very supportive of me on my next point. On the stretch of road from Scrammoge, where I live, to Ballaghaderreen, we have had a huge loss of life over the past 30 years and we many people have been injured. People have been living as prisoners in their own homes because of the fear of being on that stretch of road. Economically, the bypass will bring huge change to that part of County Roscommon. It will open up the whole area. I look forward to positive things happening in that locality, which is a major tourism area with Rathcroghan and so on. The future looks bright.

On the N4 road, a number of politicians have spoken about the bypass from Mullingar to Roosky. Of course, Roosky is in County Roscommon, as Senator McDowell will know well. The N4 goes to Carrick-On-Shannon and then back into County Roscommon and on beyond Boyle down to Ballinafad. It is important that road project is not held up. The bypass and motorway need to progress as quickly as possible. I ask that we invite the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to the House to address that issue in the not-too-distant future. It is important that project goes ahead.