Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My understanding is there were issues in relation to judicial review. An Bord Pleanála was involved. The Senator can correct me if I am wrong but that is what I am seeing in front of me. When we go down that line, these things hold up everything. The most important thing is that €500,000 has been made available in 2024 to progress the drainage, pavement and safety works on the N83 within the town, which shows this work is commencing at some level. For towns and villages it sometimes takes a long time to get a relief road but it is important it happens, especially for the people living there.

A major priority in the NDP, in line with the Department's investment hierarchy, is to maintain the quality and safety of the existing national road network. In relation to the funding provided, the greater portion becomes available in the second half of the decade. This means there is constraint on available funding for new projects this year. However, most national road projects in the NDP will continue to be progressed in 2024.

I note production and submission of the project outline document is awaited from Galway County Council. Until that is received, there is a small barrier there. I understand the Senator's frustration, however, because these things take a long time.