I am again using my Leaders' Questions slot to emphasise the urgency of providing funding for the long-awaited Macroom bypass, which is of vital importance to all of Kerry and much of Cork in attracting investment and jobs to the counties and assisting all who travel to Cork and beyond daily to work and to receive medical care and attention in the primary care hospitals in Cork, especially cancer treatment. It is also anticipated that Fitzgerald Stadium will be one of the venues for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. This infrastructure will be of vital importance to strengthen Ireland's bid for the tournament and we must provide proper access to Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney, which will have capacity for at least 50,000 people. It is arguably one of the most picturesque pitches in the country.

Many deputations from Kerry County Council have met representatives of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Roads Authority about this project over many years and again recently but it is clear the project will not go ahead until the Government makes the funding available. When the review of the capital investment programme takes place in the next few months, I ask that the Macroom bypass be brought forward. The project is expected to cost approximately €230 million but more than a third of this will be recouped by the Government in repayments of VAT, taxes, licences and permits. It is anticipated the job will take at least three years to complete so if we work back from 2023, the latest the job can start if it is to be finished in time for the tournament is early 2019. A commitment to the project must be given by the Government to allow for the tendering process to proceed and the work to be carried out and finished in time.

Killarney and Fitzgerald Stadium would make a wonderful venue as the town is renowned as one of the best tourist attractions in the country, with wonderful hotels, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and the massive INEC event centre, and there are many hotels in nearby towns. I appeal to the Minister to have his Government play its part in providing proper access to Kerry and Killarney in particular.

We do not want these fine big broad men getting stuck going around the back turns in Chúl a' Bhucaigh or when parked in traffic jams in Macroom. All Deputies need to pull together to bring the World Cup to the country and to showcase our country to the rest of the world. I believe this mighty event will be the next great opportunity to showcase our country to the world. I am asking the Government to play its part in doing just that.

I thank Deputy for raising this matter. The Government recognises that the road is an essential link between Cork and Kerry. It has been approved in principle in the plan, as Deputy Healy-Rae is aware. It already has full statutory approval and advance works have been carried out. There has been a solid commitment of funding since 2014 to undertake and deliver advance works.

Clearly, within the context of capital planning this is a high priority. It is one of possibly three top priorities in the Cork-Kerry region recognised by Government. It is a major project though, covering 22 km and requiring €160 million of investment. It is approved in principle. Clearly, as the project develops it will have high priority. The Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Coveney, and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, have emphasised this point and have met representatives of Transport Infrastructure Ireland in that context.

It is good that the Deputy continues to raise the matter because it continues to emphasise the priority. Ultimately, however, we have to work with the capital plan to enable us to fund a balanced range of projects. Clearly this project will be considered high priority as we make our expenditure commitments in the context of the capital review.

There appears to be a discrepancy. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has said it will cost €230 million. The Minister is saying it will cost €160 million. The lesser figures surely make it more attractive to get it going quicker.

IBEC said yesterday that we have the lowest capital investment programme in Europe, even though interest rates and money were never cheaper. We must work at something like this; it is vital.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get the project going and finished in time for the World Cup and indeed for all the people who have been looking for the bypass for over 35 years. It is 35 years since it was sought and approved by Kerry County Council. Surely, the people of Kerry are entitled to a proper road into our county. We are denied investment primarily because of this road, which is not of a proper standard.

Go raibh maith agat. You have made your case.

I am calling on the Government not to delay us any further and to bring it forward in the capital investment programme. That is what is needed to get the project going.

Minister, the ball is thrown in and the game is on. You have one minute.

All Members appreciate that there has effectively been a lost decade in terms of investment in infrastructure. We can see that in many of the problems we are having to deal with in housing, health and other areas. That is equally true in this area.

However, it is encouraging that as the economy has recovered the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has been able to increase the capital budgets. He did this already last year. We are now approaching a capital review in the context of which, because of the progress we are making, we will be able to see additional capital programmes. We are in a position to start to repair the damage. We need to understand that our capacity to do that will be limited because we are in recovery mode. It is a question of using the money to the best effect.

I can assure Deputy Healy-Rae that, on the basis of everyone I have spoken to, this is regarded as a priority project. It is recognised as a priority for Kerry and Cork. There is broad Government belief that this project is high priority. I reckon that will colour decisions in future. Clearly, however, I cannot give an indication today on decisions that will be taken in future.