I raise the issue of funding to provide port access from the northern cross route in Drogheda. Last year the local authorities applied for funding from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, but the application was refused by the Government. The local authorities have appealed the decision on the basis that this vital piece of infrastructure is central to the northern environs plan. Funding the construction of the route would allow the local authorities to open up lands for housing development, an issue about which the Taoiseach spoke yesterday and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, speaks about continuously speaks. If the appeal is not upheld and funding is not made available, sustainable planning will not happen and Drogheda will continue to be gridlocked on a daily basis, with HGVs passing through the town centre.

Time is up.

When will the Minister and the Government make a decision on the appeal submitted by the local authorities to receive funding from the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund?

Will the Deputy, please, allow the Minister to respond?

The Government constantly states funding is not an issue and that money is no object.

Please, Deputy. Time is up.

The Government wants to open up lands for housing development. When will we receive funding?

I thank the Deputy for her question. In response to her sentiments about how we are trying to provide for development, I completely agree, but as the matter is under appeal, it would not be proper for me to comment on it.

A number of projects are under appeal. We are working through them in a sequential manner. We are not waiting for them all to be resolved in one go. As soon as this one is dealt with, the local authority will be notified and the new round of funding under the urban regeneration fund will be opened shortly.