Minister must reverse roads funding decision – O’Shea

The Transport Minister’s refusal to provide multi-annual funding for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) puts important road projects in jeopardy, a Fine Gael Councillor has said.

Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed he has no plans to provide multi-annual funding to the body in response to a Parliamentary Question on Wednesday 18^th September from David Stanton TD.

Cllr John Paul O’Shea, Fine Gael’s General Election candidate in Cork North West, said: “This decision by the Minister is extremely short-sighted and puts numerous critical infrastructure projects at risk.

“In my own area, there were already serious concerns about the progression of roads such as the M20 Cork-Limerick motorway, the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road, and the N72 Mallow Relief Road.

“In making this decision, the Minister is putting our economic growth, regional connectivity, and road safety at risk. There is no doubt that it will disproportionately impact regions outside Dublin and stifle economic opportunities for these regions.

“An efficient road network is relied upon by businesses, commuters, and tourists alike, and Cork business groups have already expressed fears that a failure to progress these roads projects could have a detrimental impact on businesses and livelihoods.

“The likes of the N72 Mallow relief road needing a supplementary allocation of funds from the Department is not a sustainable or acceptable approach.

“Long-term stability of capital in the form of multi-annual funding is critical to ensure the progression of these important projects.

“There are many projects contained in the latter half of the National Development Plan, of which planning needs to begin urgently, but a lack of long-term funding now regrettably puts these roads at risk.

“This decision will force a situation where we may have to choose between equally critical projects, and where large projects will be consistently put on the long finger.

“Efforts to improve road safety and reduce fatalities on our roads could be in vain if we do not make an appropriate investment in a reliable, safe road network.

“A reliable road network is an absolute necessity alongside adequate public transport and active travel routes as we transition to more a carbon-friendly transport system.

“Continued economic growth for Cork and regions across the country are heavily reliant on planned roads projects.

“The Minister must reverse this decision and invest in the future of Ireland’s road network,” Cllr O’Shea concluded.