I ask the Taoiseach for an update on the M20 Cork to Limerick project. Limerick City and County Council published a transport solution for the project in March 2022 and subsequently published updates in February and November 2023 and June 2024.

The dual carriageway will comprise over 100 km of safe shared active travel pathways connecting communities from Blarney to Patrickswell, encompassing towns in my area of Charleville and Buttevant and villages like Ballyhea and New Twopothouse. There will be transport hubs, EV charging points and freight hubs along the way. The project will facilitate essential public transport options, including the opportunity for quicker intercity express bus services and improved efficiencies on existing bus services serving communities between Cork and Limerick. I hope the Taoiseach will provide an update on the motorway. We will try to deliver it as quickly as we can.

The Government is very supportive of the motorway. I understand it has gone through the various planning stages. There will be a further review of the national development plan and I expect the project will be included in that. As the Deputy knows, the project has gone through route selection and so forth. It is something that people eagerly await.

We have seen the transformative impact that bypasses have had on towns like Ballyvourney and Macroom. Bypasses can free towns from pollution and congestion and also bring strong economic connections between areas. The M20 will have a transformative impact in terms of the Limerick-Cork nexus and economic development that could arise from greater and faster connectivity.