Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Senator Tully.

I welcome the Minister of State. I raise an issue of importance to the people of Limerick and Cork and all who travel between them, namely, the urgent need to address the dangers of the N20. For far too long, this road has been a death trap. It is one of the most dangerous routes in the country, with an appalling record of serious injuries and fatalities. Between 2016 and 2022, at least 26 people lost their lives on the N20 and hundreds or more were seriously injured. A collision on this road is four times more likely to be fatal than on any other road in Ireland. These are not just statistics. Behind every number is a person, a loved one taken too soon, a family devastated and a community in mourning. Too many families in Limerick, Cork and across the rest of Munster have suffered unbearable loss because this road is simply not fit for purpose.

The N20 carries heavy traffic volumes, including significant numbers of HGVs, yet it remains largely a single-lane carriageway with dangerous junctions, poor sightlines and a lack of safe overtaking opportunities. Every day, thousands of commuters and businesses rely on this road and, every day, they put their lives at risk. The solution is clear - the long-promised M20 motorway must be delivered. We have been hearing about this project for over 20 years, yet nothing has materialised. Delays, excuses and endless reviews have left this road among the most dangerous. Every day this project is stalled is another day that families take their lives in their hands simply by commuting to work, school or hospital appointments. Cork and Limerick are the second- and third-largest cities, yet they are still connected by a road that belongs in another era.This is not just about an economic benefit, although the benefits of a proper motorway connection between these key cities is undeniable. This is about safety and preventing more tragedies on a road which has already claimed too many. I call for a clear and binding timeline for the M20 project. There cannot be any more delays or uncertainty. I call on the Minister to invest in immediate safety improvements on the N20, including better junctions, speed enforcement and overtaking lanes, and to ensure that funding for this project is ring-fenced so it is not sacrificed for political convenience. The people of Limerick, Cork and Munster deserve safe modern infrastructure. They deserve a road that protects lives rather than endangers them. Let us ensure the N20 no longer makes the headlines for tragic reasons but instead becomes a symbol of progress, safety and responsible planning.