A few weeks ago, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, visited Sligo and indicated to council officials that no funding will be available for the Knock to Collooney N17 road scheme for the foreseeable future. This means the effective abandonment by the Government for this upgrade because “not in the foreseeable future” means more than 20 years away and less than 100. At that point, it is more likely to be “Beam me up, Scotty” than laying concrete. I remember the fanfare when the Government launched Project Ireland 2040 in Sligo before the last election and the N17 was a central part of its plan. In the interests of those who live and work in the north west and west, and who, for example, rely on the N17 as the main artery to a cancer care centre of excellence in Galway, will the Minister confirm that it is the policy of the Government to provide the necessary and timely funding for the upgrade of the N17?

I can confirm it is the Government’s policy to improve vital pieces of infrastructure, and a number have been mentioned in the House. I will raise the issue of the N17 with the Minister for Transport. I appreciate that, as the Deputy said, it is a main artery to a hospital.