Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan, has welcomed the news that the new Limerick to Foynes road has been included in the Governments Capital Investment Plan which was launched today. “It is fantastic news for County Limerick as it will allow the development of Foynes Port, which I believe will play a major role in the future economic development of County Limerick and the Mid-West.”
It is understood that scheme will make provision for a bypass of Adare; however the route will be subject to planning permission. Patrick O’Donovan said that since he became a TD he had worked hard to secure an improved road for Foynes and a bypass of Adare. He recently proposed an amendment to the Roads Bill 2014, which the Minister for Transport, Paschal Donohoe TD agreed to, to allow the National Roads Authority (NRA) to carry out pre-planning consultations with An Bord Pleanála before making applications for planning permission to construct new roads. This change in the legislation means that there projects, the new road to Foynes and the bypass of Adare, should not be unnecessarily delayed and should not have further monies wasted on routes that would not receive planning permission.
Patrick O’Donovan said that the inclusion of these projects in the Governments Capital Investment Plan is concrete proof of Fine Gael’s commitment to County Limerick, and the Governments wish to see the economic recovery be brought right into the heart of County Limerick.
“This plan represents a huge step forward for the country in terms of infrastructure, her in County Limerick it means that we will have a modern road from the deep water port in Foynes, through the County, linking onto the national motorway network. This will create massive opportunities in terms of job creation locally and will open up the entire county of Limerick for future development and job creation”.
Patrick O’Donovan said that now that this road is included in the Governments Capital Investment Programme, that he would be anxious to see progress being made on the planning and design stages. He said that he would be using his position as TD for County Limerick to ensure that the project is delivered within an agreed timeframe. He concluded by saying that as a Government TD for County Limerick he would continue to press for national investment in the constituency.