Macroom Ballyvourney bypass delay
Healy-Rae seeks accountability and an explanation for the bypass reportedly being delayed until 2022; the Taoiseach explains the National Roads Authority’s role and the Government’s infrastructure-funding responsibility.
Six days ago, last Thursday, I used Leaders' Questions to ask about the Macroom to Ballyvourney bypass to see when the project would go ahead. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, took the questions.
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It is, because of infrastructure, jobs and the health and safety of people going on the road to Cork.
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Why was I not informed that this project was not going to go ahead until 2022? I have become aware that last Monday an official from Transport Infrastructure Ireland or, as it was previously known, the NRA, informed Cork County Council that this project was not going to go ahead until 2022. Who is in charge of the provision of infrastructure? Is it the NRA, the Government or the Minister? It looks to me like there is no accountability in Dáil Éireann.
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I know that when one crosses the county bounds heading for Cork, one runs into that particular problem every day. The National Roads Authority has responsibility in terms of the preparation, presentation and design of major road infrastructure throughout the country. The Government's role is to be able to provide the facilities and money to deal with infrastructure development, whether roads, bridges or whatever. There is a €42 billion capital programme out to the mid 2020s. If someone from the NRA says that the project is not due to go ahead until 2022 or whatever date Deputy Healy-Rae said, then there is a reason for that, whether it be objections or compulsory purchase orders or whatever. Those in the authority are professional in the way they do their business in respect of all the roads in the country. I recall when the capital programme was being put together that this road was deemed to be a priority. However, it is not for the Government to say that a route has to take this line or that line or a particular design based on the geological formation for the development of a road. As Deputy Healy-Rae is aware, from Ballyvourney outwards there are some difficulties with the terrain.