Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement Matter. Cuirim fáilte roimh an tAire Stáit, an Teachta Buttimer, agus déanaim comhghairdeas leis as ucht an ardú céime atá faighte aige. Tá a fhios agam go mbeidh sé anseo ar feadh tamaill agus ag déanamh sároibre ar son an Rialtais agus mhuintir na tíre.

I want to raise the matter of the N59 road in Connemara. The N59 is the longest road in Ireland. It stretches from County Sligo through County Mayo into Connemara and around to Galway city. The Galway section stretches from Leenane to Clifden to Maam Cross and into Galway city. It is a beautiful road. The section from Leenane to Clifden is part of the Wild Atlantic Way. It is an important road. It is the only national secondary road we have in the Connemara area. Improvements have been made to it over the past few years. The Moycullen bypass opened in December 2023. It has alleviated traffic in the evenings and has benefited residents of Moycullen, Rosscahill, Oughterard and indeed, all users on that road. In 2020 and 2021, we saw the start and completion of the N59 Maam Cross to Bunnakill upgrade. That covered approximately 5 km of road. For anyone who has driven it since that has been a huge improvement and it is such a pleasure to drive compared to the road section preceding it and after it. It has improved road safety enormously for drivers, cyclists, residents along the road and landowners. It really is what we should strive to see along the whole road in terms of improved sight lines, drivability, comfort and greater overtaking opportunities. The next phase committed to was from Bunnakill to Claremont and Oughterard, which is 10 km. The plan, as I understand it, was to carry out improvements to a similar level doing 5 km at a time. This section of road has an unusual planning history. It got planning permission a number of years ago but one of the conditions was to have engagement with the National Parks and WIldlife Service, NPWS, at different stages. That was something the NPWS did not request or particularly want. It had not been something it received in the past. After some back and forth, the council requested an amendment to the planning condition and sought agreement from the NPWS for its support to the amendment to the planning application. That happened. The service wrote to the county council and that went back to the board. The road project has planning permission. We have seen what can be done. The issues surrounding the National Parks and Wildlife Service and its unusual role as part of the planning application has been agreed following approval from the service. Where is this at now and what is the next stage that will result in construction of this badly needed road for the benefit of the residents of Connemara and tourists alike?

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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I offer mo chomhghairdeas don Cheannaire, an Seanadóir Seán Kyne, as ucht a phoist nua. Beidh sé go hiontach sa ról sin, is dóigh liom.

I congratulate the Senator on his appointment and thank him for raising this very important matter of the N59.

In total, €411 million of Exchequer capital funds was provided for national roads through TII through local authorities in 2024 with €14 million for national roads in Galway under the national road allocations announced earlier. Allocations for 2025 will be announced in the coming weeks.

In the new NDP launched in October 2021, approximately €5.1 billion is earmarked for new national road projects to 2030. This funding will enable improved regional accessibility across the country as well as compact growth, which are key national strategic outcomes. The funding will provide for the development of national road projects in the NDP, including the completion of projects which are already at construction stage and those close to it, as well as the development of a number of others. The upgrade of the N59 between the Maam Cross and Oughterard project is included in the list of projects to be considered for prioritisation within the funding envelope of the NDP. The N59 Clifden to Maam Cross section of the route is also one of the projects listed within the NDP for progression. However, this scheme has not progressed in the past number of years due to funding constraints.

The upgrade of the N59 between Maam Cross and Bunnakill is, as Senator Kyne stated, a 5 km section and we welcome the improvements completed in 2021. Subsequent to this, both Galway County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland were keen to progress with advance works for the next 10 km section of the N59 between Bunnakill and Claremont. This will most likely progress as two separate 5 km sections. An allocation of €500,000 was provided in last year to facilitate this.

Planning and design of advance works on the next section of this scheme, Bunnakill to Claremont, has commenced. On this section, the NPWS and Galway County Council, as the Senator referenced, are liaising with each other on An Bord Pleanála condition. I stipulate that it is a Bord Pleanála condition requiring the approval of construction methods statements of mitigation for impacts on the freshwater pearl mussel population in the Owenriff river, which NPWS indicates may be beyond its legal jurisdiction. Work on tender documents for advance works are complete. I hope we will see progress on this. I will bring back the genuine concerns and comments of the Senator regarding it being the longest road in Ireland and also the importance of the route in terms of the Wild Atlantic Way.It is important that the council and the NPWS continue to liaise. If there is an obstacle, as was stipulated, and it is possible to overcome it, then let us do so. I will bring the Senator's concerns back to the Minister for Transport, on whose behalf I am taking this Commencement matter. He apologises he cannot be here this morning.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am somewhat disappointed that there is not more detail, but I understand the Minister of State is here on behalf of the Minister. I would like to see progress on this issue this year. I would like to see a firm commitment to works starting this year on this extremely important section of road. As I said, we have seen what can be done and we want the same between Oughterard and Maam Cross as we have from Bunnakill to Maam Cross. I ask the Minister of State to bring this request back to the Minister. I would like to see a commitment to funding being provided this year. Perhaps the Minister of State is able to advise when the full amount of national road funding will be provided and if funding for national roads in the 2025 roads programme will be higher than it was in 2024. It is important that we invest in road infrastructure because road safety is as important as anything else.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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I accept the Senator's comment that he is disappointed by the reply. The national roads allocation for this year will be announced in the near future. The Government is committed to funding road projects and the N59 fits into this category. As the Senator knows, the project is progressing and is a major project in terms of being in or near the end of construction. It comes under the national roads framework in terms of protection and renewal, enhancing road safety and is in line with national development policy and Government policy. I do not see any reason the N59 project cannot be proceeded with further. As the Senator said, it is very much part of the NDP. I am happy to work with the Senator to ensure the Department and TII will consider this project for funding in future years.

The Senator will be aware that the protection and renewal of existing national roads are a priority for the Government. The majority of funding allocated for Galway last year was utilised for this purpose. The funding is used for junction improvement, pavement renewal, road safety improvement, the maintenance of structures such as bridges and the progression of minor improvement projects. As the Senator said, this road comes under many categories and deserves to be supported. I will bring the Senator's concerns and comments back to the Department.