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News and Star
Friday November 16th 2001
Road Fears Rubbished
By Marion O’Mara
FINANCE Minister Charlie McCreevy has been put on notice that any decision to defer or delay the allocation of funding, totalling in excess of £400m, for the proposed motorway / dual carriageway linking the city and Dublin, will not be tolerated. Last weekend, the Minister indicated that because of the current economic climate, the State might not have enough money to carry out some of the expensive infrastructural aspects of the seven-year National Development Plan on time.
SPECULATION
The comment has led to speculation that one likely area where savings could be achieved was in the proposed Waterford to Dublin motorway. Although identified in the National Development Plan, it was not included in the costings. “Any effort or decision which would in any way endanger this project going ahead is absolutely and utterly unacceptable,” stated Deputy Brian O’Shea. Amid shock at suggestions that the Government might be tempted to put the project on hold, Deputy O’Shea said that he would be putting down a Dail question seeking a categorical assurance that the Waterford / Dublin motorway will proceed on time. He will also be seeking an assurance that there will be no delay or withdrawal of funding for the proposed motorway / dual carriageway.
“This Fianna Fail / Progressive Democrat Government has failed Waterford in many ways but in terms of going back on clear and unequivocal undertakings given would be absolute cynicism and discriminatory against Waterford,” he added. The widespread fears and speculation have been dismissed, however, by Martin Cullen, Minister of State at the Department of Finance. “This is pure media speculation which has no truth and no basis and it is not helpful in terms of attracting investment to the region,” he said. Continuing, he stated “It is a load of rubbish. There is no question of the motorway being postponed and it would be damaging to suggest that it would. It is not an issue nor will it become an issue at all. It simply isn’t going to happen — there is no question of it being abandoned.”
UNACCEPTABLE
Despite the reassurances, Cllr. Davy Walsh, Chairperson of the Corporation’s SPC committee for transportation and infrastructure said that the National Development Plan had been put in place ten years too late and therefore cutbacks would not be acceptable. “The plans have been drawn up — we have waited thirty years and we are not in the mood of putting this project on the long finger,” he stated.
DISASTER
Conor Faughnan, Public Affairs Manager with the Automobile Association, said that any cutbacks in infrastructural projects would be a massive step backwards in terms of investment in the country’s future. “It is an absolute requirement to pursue development and any attempt to pull back would be a disaster,” he added. Proper road infrastructure, was, he said, a basic requirement and for all its virtues and advantages Ireland was way behind other countries in terms of roads.
Copyright © Waterford News and Star 2001
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