For the first few years in this Government's term in office, we saw numerous capital road projects progressed across the country including the Baile Bhuirne to Macroom bypass the opening of which the Tánaiste officiated at last year and I think he is due next month to cut the ribbon on the Dunkettle interchange, which is most welcome. I understand an announcement is due shortly from the Department of Transport on the progression of further roads projects. As the Tánaiste knows, last year, the Mallow relief road and the northern distributor road on the north side of Cork city were both left short relatively small sums of money to progress through the various stages of design and planning. I ask the Tánaiste to give the people of both those areas, namely Mallow and the north side of the city, assurance that those two projects will progress this year and will not be left behind.

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue. I know this is an issue for which he has advocated for quite some time. Some funding was provided last year to facilitate the progression of those projects. There are huge pressures on the capital budgets because of the inflationary cycle we have experienced. Most road projects now are turning out, after tender, at significantly higher cost than the original estimates of such projects so we have to take that on board. However, I understand the critical need for the Mallow relief road and also the northern distributor road.