Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport and Communications, Martin Kenny TD, has written to Minister Jack Chambers today in response to yesterday’s announcement by TII of an upgrade to the Cork-Limerick road.

The announcement will see upgrade works take place on the N20, which will be fully tolled according to reports.

Teachta Kenny said:

“People across Munster have been calling for upgrade works on this road for years, and the announcement that TII finally have a clear project plan is very welcome, albeit late.

“Over the past 20 years, more than 60 people have tragically lost their lives on the N20, and in that regard, upgrade works to improve the safety of this route are welcome.

“However, we need to be clear that this plan has not been included in the National Development Plan, nor has it been budgeted for or received cabinet approval. TII are approaching the government with this project and it will then need to be approved, so we are a long way from a definite plan here.

“If that approval comes from the Minister, it will then go through a number of other bureaucratic hurdles before the planning and construction stages are reached. Estimates by TII state that the upgrade works will then take between four and eight years to complete.

“I have written today to the Minister to query his knowledge of the proposal, and to ask for a clear rationale for tolling this proposed motorway.

“We unfortunately have more than enough experience of poor toll deals already, deals which deliver only for shareholders and not for motorists.

“Presenting a proposal as a signed, sealed, delivered project for Cork in the run-up to an election is nothing new for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

“The non-existent Cork Events Centre is proof of that.”