My Labour Party colleagues and I join other Deputies in expressing our sympathy to the families of those people who died on our roads in the past week.

On page 43 of the programme for Government, it is clearly stated that the Government will set out a list of priorities in respect of the development of the Atlantic corridor. There is also a commitment to a 50% increase in capital expenditure on roads. In light of the recent statements he made regarding the reprofiling of the capital expenditure programme and comments to the effect that some projects will be deferred, I ask the Taoiseach to provide an assurance that the M20 motorway between Cork and Limerick will be developed in a timely fashion. In the interests of ensuring proper regional development, I ask him to give a concrete commitment that the M20 project will not be put on the back burner and that other projects relating to it, including bypassing towns such as Mallow, will not be forgotten. I seek assurances from the Taoiseach on this matter.

I can absolutely give the Deputy a commitment that it is full steam ahead with the Atlantic economic corridor and improving our road infrastructure between Cork, Limerick, Shannon, Galway and on to Sligo. Much of the work has already been done, as the Deputy knows, including the Gort to Tuam section and south, beyond Limerick. This morning, the Cabinet approved the upgrade of the Castlebaldwin to Collooney section of the N4, which will improve the road link to Sligo. The Cabinet also gave Sligo County Council approval to sign the contracts for that project, which is really important in terms of improving road access to the north west. It really speaks to our vision in Project Ireland 2040 to develop Sligo as a major urban centre for the north west.