Yesterday we got news that the Adare bypass will go ahead and be supported by Government and development will be accelerated. The news was welcomed in most quarters. It makes sense to have the Ryder Cup as the deadline for construction of this project but it is not the only reason to do this. The project will provide ongoing benefit to west Limerick and the south west of the country and allow Adare to breathe again, which is important. A more beneficial project, which is equally deserving of Government priority and support, is the Limerick to Foynes railway line. It will open in the next year or two for freight purposes. We should be piggybacking on the freight opportunity to develop passenger services to and from the likes of Adare, Raheen, Patrickswell, Askeaton and so on.

I am pleased to welcome the fact that the Cabinet signed off on the approval of the Adare bypass. I expect that will get under construction next year and be completed by 2027. At the same time, we are very keen to progress the reopening of the line to Foynes for freight, but also the development of Limerick commuter rail and the opening of new stations in and around the city.