I welcome the National Roads Authority's minor works scheme for next year. I am particularly pleased to see that a further section of the busy Barronstown-Hackballscross N53 has been included. It is substandard in several places. This work will ameliorate one of those sections. The proposed extension will go from the newly realigned section at Newtownbalregan to Barronstown, 1 km west of the Hackballscross junction. These improvements will further enhance the route's consistency and integrate with the previously completed schemes. As well as improving road safety and capacity, the improvements to date have included overtaking sections and led to improved journey times and access from the north west to Dundalk and the M1.

Well done and congratulations.