We need further action on the upgrading of the R312 from Castlebar to Bellacorick. As the Minister is aware, Mayo County Council received €850,000 this year under the specific improvements grant scheme to progress safety upgrades specifically for the Glenisland bridge replacement and road alignment project. While the new bridge is very welcome and will soon be opened by the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, much more needs to be done to improve the overall safety of the road. The R312 serves as a vital artery to large parts of north-west Mayo. It serves a key route to Bangor Erris, Belmullet, the Mullet Peninsula and Blacksod Bay. Attention will soon turn to the remaining stretches of road that are quite simply unsafe for regular users of the road. I ask that the Minister's Department, along with Mayo County Council, respond to requests for future upgrades on regional roads like the R312.

I thank the Deputy. I am aware that the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, is due to open the upgraded bridge in Glenisland, which is very welcome. We need to invest in safety and connectivity to the likes of north-west Mayo, which needs good access. My understanding is that in recent weeks, Mayo County Council has sent my Department some proposals on further upgrades to the road. We have not had time to consider them. That is the current situation. The upgraded bridge will be opened and we will then look at further proposals.