Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I acknowledge that he came to Monaghan County Council on this particular issue. I know he does not have direct responsibility for everything that goes on within this Department, but I ask him to bring the message back to someone who does - the Minister, Deputy Ryan - that funding is required in order to progress this road. We are talking about approximately €1 million to keep this project alive and moving forward. This is the least we can do for all those landowners and homeowners who are losing their homes. They have co-operated with the council by acceding their properties so that a road can progress. We owe it to them not to keep them in limbo. We also owe it to all those who have already lost their lives on this road, and the Minister of State mentioned that in his contribution. This is literally a matter of life or death and I do not over-egg it when I say that. I sincerely hope that the Government and the Minister, Deputy Ryan, find the necessary €1 million to give to the TII for the design work on this road to be completed so the investment to date will not be lost.