Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2016
482. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he provide an update on the progress of the proposed M20 Cork to Limerick motorway; if he will acknowledge the importance of this infrastructure to the region and the urgent need to progress this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8299/16]
View answerThe transport element of the Capital Plan published in September 2015 provided for some targeted investment in a number of new projects including the N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange and the N22 Ballybourney to Macroom schemes in Cork. In addition a number of other schemes, targeted at removing bottlenecks and upgrading port access, will commence subject to development consent. These include the Mallow Relief Road, Adare By-Pass and the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy Road. It was not possible to include the M20 in the Capital Plan as the scale of investment to deliver it as originally proposed was not affordable.
However, as part of its work on the proposed Mallow Relief Road, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is examining whether the Mallow project can be progressed in such a way that it facilitates the development of the M20 in phases. If work on that project and additional studies show that a phased approach is feasible, it could be considered as part of the planned mid-term review of the Capital Plan. In the meantime, TII will be funding feasibility studies on a phased development this year.
