The issue I want to raise concerns our national development plan, NDP, and roads funding. I have been raising continuously the issue of the implementation of the existing NDP that was revised by the Government under one of the first acts of the programme of Government. Within the NDP, I am particularly concerned about the lack of the appointment of a design consultant for the Castlemartyr-Killeagh scheme.

I have been asking for this for nine months. Money has been allocated but there has been no action from the Department of Transport. Can the Tánaiste give some commitment that he will raise this with the Secretary General of the Department and the roads unit within it?

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I acknowledge that he has been a very persistent and strong advocate for this bypass and this facility. There will be further work on the capital ceilings of the NDP in the aftermath of the budget and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform will work with line Departments. I will examine the specific issue. My understanding is that it was progressing but I will examine the specific issue of the appointment of a design consultant.