There are few other instances in the country that highlight how challenging and difficult we have made it to complete crucial infrastructure projects than the Galway city ring road. As the Taoiseach will be aware, the project was first mooted and planned for in 1999. There have been three separate planning decisions. The design and planning work that has gone into each of those has taken a significant time. There have been alternative compulsory purchase orders and a number of legal cases. The latest and third grant of planning for the project was on 9 April this year but, unfortunately, that faces judicial review, posing further delay to this crucial project and potential derailment.

On 14 April this year, TII announced it had reached agreement with parties, which will allow the withdrawal of the judicial review proceedings relating to Luas Finglas. TII said that this means Luas Finglas can now proceed. Last December, our colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy O'Brien, confirmed the withdrawal of judicial review proceedings against An Coimisiún Pleanála's grant of planning for the metro project following constructive mediation. I ask that the Taoiseach supports-----

The Taoiseach to respond now, Deputy. Time is up.

-----engagement with the transport authorities and the parties who have taken judicial reviews.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I also recognise the strength of his advocacy in regard to the ring road in Galway and the absolute necessity for it. It is with some degree of dismay that we read that there will be a judicial review of the planning. I urge the authorities - and I will engage with them - to see if mediation can bring about a speedier outcome to the issues that have been raised. My understanding is that the county council is the lead authority but I will talk to TII, the county council and relevant Ministers. I have spoken to the Minister for Transport on this because, for the wider public good and for Galway generally, this road needs to be built.