Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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The Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, is very welcome, as always, to the House. We are exceptionally fond of him. He has huge experience in here and it is great to see him back.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State is welcome. I thank the Cathaoirleach's office for choosing this Commencement matter, which relates to the N59 in Connemara, County Galway. The Minister of State is very fond of Connemara, Clifden and Ballyconneely. It is a very special place but it is obviously also a place where people live. It is not just for tourists or visitors. It is a community for people in the area and we are very proud of that area.

We have seen some very welcome progress on the N59 over the last number of years. They Moycullen bypass, which was opened by the then Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, in 2023, has reduced journey times, especially in the evenings, from Galway city out to the far side of Moycullen through Oughterard, Roscahill and on to Clifden. The section from Maam Cross to Bunnakill was carried out in 2020 to 2021 and I was hugely involved in advocating for the funding to be delivered for this 5 km section of road. This project was progressed during that period and is now complete. It is of a very high standard. It is very driveable, if I can use that phrase, and there has been a great improvement in sight-lines, safety and overtaking opportunities. It is a very much improved section of road. We would like to see the whole N59 brought to that standard. The next stage for which planning permission has been received is the section from Bunnakill to Claremount towards Oughterard. This section needs to be progressed.

There has been a lot of back-and-forth with the National Parks and Wildlife Service over the original planning application, which required the NPWS to have input in relation to approving different stages and method statements. Galway County Council wrote to the NPWS in 2024, basically confirming its support for an amendment from the county council in relation to these method statements. That has been welcomed and allows matters to progress. We are at the stage where funding is needed to allow this project to progress. We need to see funding to do at least the next 5 km and, after that, for another 5 km into Oughterard. Does the Minister of State have an update on progress from his Department and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII? Is é an N59 an príomhbhóthar ó chathair na Gaillimhe go dtí an Clochán trí Uachtar Aird. Rinneadh obair in 2020 agus 2021 ar chuid den bhóthar idir an Teach Dóite agus Bun an Choill. Táimid ag iarraidh, mar atá muintir na háite, ar an Roinn Iompair agus ar Bonneagar Iompair Éireann an chéad phíosa eile a dhéanamh ar an N59 idir Bun an Choill agus Claremont, Uachtar Aird. Tá an bóthair seo go dona. Tá sé cúng, casta agus tá deacrachtaí ag caranna dul thar a chéile.

The Minister of State has a huge interest in road safety. As we know, road improvements are not just about getting people from one place to another faster. Actually, that is not one of the most important things.The safety of all road users, the driveability of the road and comfort are as important as getting people from A to B quickly. I hope the Minister of State has good news regarding the N59.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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Ar an gcéad dul síos, déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Seanadóir Kyne as ucht na ceiste agus an ráitis seo mar gheall ar thábhacht an bhóthair N59, go háirithe an sliocht idir Bun an Choill agus Claremount, Uachtar Ard. Go n-éirí leis as ucht na hoibre. Bhí sé an-tábhachtach sa tionscadal a bhí an Roinn Iompair ag déanamh mar gheall ar an obair atá déanta.

I thank the Senator for his work, advocacy, tireless campaigning and delivery of significant improvements in respect of the N59. It is fair to say that without him, those improvements would never have happened. He is right. This is a very important matter relating to the quality of life of people who rely on the N59.

The Minister for Transport has responsibility for the overall policy relating to and the Exchequer funding for the national roads programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with TII under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015, and in line with the national development plan, NDP, the planning, design, improvement and upgrading of individual national roads is a matter for TII. The Department is waiting for TII to present its budget for this year. The Estimates process has been completed. TII will ultimately deliver the national roads programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the national planning framework and the NDP.

It is important to point out that a number of major national roads projects have already been delivered under the current NDP, including the N5 from Westport to Turlough and, in my county of Cork, the N22 from Ballyvourney to Macroom. The Senator articulated a number of significant improvements on the N59. Progress to date has been quite good.

Approximately €502 million in Exchequer funding was provided through TII to local authorities for national roads last year. We are awaiting the imminent publication of this year's roads allocation. This is used for the construction of major new projects as well as the protection and renewal of the existing network. Almost €10 million of this funding was allocated to Galway County Council. The allocations for this year will be made in the coming weeks.

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, which includes funding for minor improvements; safety schemes, such as junction upgrades and road realignment; and paving renewal.

I am very much aware of the status of the N59 as a lifeline road, as identified by TII in its national road strategy for the period to 2040. Like other lifeline roads, it is in a rural area with complex topography and few alternative routes. The Senator outlined succinctly the issue with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The N59 plays a vital role in connecting the rural communities of Connemara to Galway city. In that regard, I am happy to note the completion of the Moycullen bypass in recent years, which has improved the quality of life for the people of Moycullen, in addition to ensuring better connectivity between Galway, Oughterard and Clifden.

With regard to the N59 between Bunnakill and Claremount, I can confirm the project received an allocation of €100,000 last year. Galway County Council, supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Inland Fisheries Ireland, is progressing a solution in relation to a planning condition with respect to the approval of method statements outlining how the project will comply with the condition. As part of this work, a section 146B application was submitted by Galway County Council to An Coimisiún Pleanála on 30 October last year seeking alterations to the planning conditions for the project. A decision is due, we are told, in the coming weeks. Subject to An Coimisiún Pleanála's approval of the application, it is the intention of Galway County Council to commence advance works for the project, such as the archaeological investigation contract, this year.

I hope the Senator finds the information useful. I will pass his concerns back to the Minister, Deputy O'Brien. I am sure we will work together to advance the project.

Seán Kyne (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for the update on behalf of his Department. It is important we keep this project moving forward and that, subject to planning approval of this alteration, which has been a long time in preparation, planning and co-ordination, work takes place. As we move towards tender documents and contracts, it is important we keep this project moving, highlighted and on the radar of the Department of Transport and TII. For the community in Connemara, the project is hugely important in terms of safer driving for all road users and, indeed, for visitors and tourists who come from various parts of the country to admire the scenery of and hospitality in Connemara.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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Again, through the good advocacy of Senator Kyne, €10 million was allocated in capital funding to the national roads network in Galway. It is about the renewal and protection of existing road networks. The programme for Government is committed to enhancing connectivity across urban rural areas and investing in diverse transport options, including roads. In this case, in the programme for Government there is a commitment to funding for new roads and the maintenance of existing roads as part of the NDP review. The plan was published in November of last year. This sectoral investment plan sets out the capital ceiling up to 2030 and foresees increased commitment and investment in transport infrastructure and roads, compared to the first half of the decade. I remind the Senator, though he probably does not need reminding, that the N59 in the Clifden to Maam Cross project is among the projects listed in that plan, which is a measure of the importance of this crucial artery. I look forward to the publication in the coming weeks of the national roads allocation for this year. The Senator was very anxious, as he has articulated this morning. that it is important to keep this progress moving forward. I agree with him in that and hope we can work together to bring resolution to the need to progress the road further.

Victor Boyhan (Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer. We greatly appreciate his time. I also thank Senator Kyne.