Road Projects
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-10
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Jerry Buttimer (FG), Cork South-Central

The Deputy is right that it is time to move from aspiration to delivery. That is why the Tánaiste was very clear about the need for the development of expeditious projects to be progressed, with the whole issue around infrastructure development and the need for a specific department of infrastructure. The Deputy and I really listened to the Cork Development Forum and the chamber of commerce and other business interests and a variety of interests relating to the N20-M20 project. It is included in the NDP and received, as he knows, significant funding in 2024. This year’s funding allocation is due shortly and it will receive money.
The proposed project is critically important in terms of connectivity, not just from a Cork-Limerick perspective but also from the perspective of other regional towns as we have articulated and outlined. It is important to outline to the House that approximately €502 million of Exchequer capital funding was provided last year to TII in line with the NDP and Government policy, and TII sought to allocate national roads funding to local authorities in a manner that seeks to deliver in protecting existing rural projects and major projects that are to be progressed or are in or near construction, such as that we were talking about in terms of pre-construction, but also in the context of new roads.
The N20-M20 is one we need to see delivered. We have seen the benefit in our own county in the Baile Bhuirne-Macroom bypass, in the importance of the Dunkettle interchange upgrade, and we need to see more happening in terms of the N40 where we have gridlock every day. We need the Atlantic economic corridor to be developed so that we can improve the offerings of jobs in west Cork, north Cork and dare I say it, Kerry as well. This is about ensuring the N20-M20 is built. People have waited long enough. The potential to reduce road fatalities and accidents is there for all to see from a safety point of view. I look forward to working with all Members, but in particular Deputy O'Shea, to deliver the project on behalf of the Government.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:36+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-10