Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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296. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to review the decision not to proceed with the development of the M20 motorway between Limerick and Cork given the importance of the project to balanced regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17847/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Capital Plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. The transport element of the plan was framed by the conclusions reached in my Department’s Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with targeted investments to address particular bottlenecks and critical safety issues. The Capital Plan provides €6 billion for investment in the roads network in the period to 2022, with €4.4 billion earmarked for the maintenance and strengthening of the existing extensive network throughout the country and €1.6 billion for new projects.  Allowing for the commitments relating to the PPP projects, the balance available for new projects within the available capital envelope was limited.  Given the funding constraints a project of the scale of the M20 would have absorbed a substantial proportion of the budget for new projects.  In those circumstances, as I understand it, the decision made by my predecessor was to provide for a mix of smaller scale projects across the country to address particular constraints, including bottlenecks and port connectivity. As part of the Programme for Partnership Government there is an increased emphasis on the need for spending on public services but the Government still has to operate within the EU fiscal rules and this does constrain options. There will be a Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan and this will provide an opportunity to assess progress and consider what scope there is for increased levels of investment depending on economic growth. As regards the N20, I do expect that the position regarding the project will be considered as part of the Mid -Term Review.