Minister not involved in route selection

TRANSPORT Minister Leo Varadkar has ruled out any direct involvement in the route selection for the controversial €120 million new motorway in South-East Clare.
However, Minister Varadkar will meet a delegation of residents from Parteen and Clonlara to discuss the huge implications of constructing Phase Two of the Northern Distributor Road from Knockalisheen to Annacotty in Dublin next Wednesday.
The new steering group opposing the emerging preferred route has also requested a meeting with Clare County Council senior engineer, Tom Tiernan.
Limerick East Deputy Willie O’Dea, Deputy Kieran O’Donnell and Deputy Timmy Dooley’s representative attended a steering group meeting on Monday night.
Clare county councillors Michael Begley and Cathal Crowe were also present. Other public representatives weren’t available due to the clash with the public meeting on education cuts in Ennis.
While Finance Minister Michael Noonan has declined to meet the group due to his workload, his representative will meet the group later this week.
Addressing deputies during a recent Dáil debate, Minister Varadkar explained the purpose of route selection is to allow people to prepare for the future. A route is identified and land is set aside for construction so the road can be built in due course.
“It is not and should not be my role to plan regional roads from No. 44 Kildare Street. It is the role of Clare County Council. A planning process is in place. I expect the county council to listen to the views of people in local areas and engage with them actively and constructively to determine the best route, which can satisfy everyone.
“I will not become the first minister in the history of the State to select routes for regional roads. It is something that has to be dealt with locally,” he explained.
However, Deputy Timmy Dooley argued the minister would not be the first in the history of the State to enter into dialogue with interested parties to understand their concerns.
Stressing the project involves Government money allocated by the minister, Deputy Dooley explained locals would like to have an understanding of the importance of the project from his perspective and when, or if, the road would be completed.
While the minister confirmed he would meet a delegation from the region, he reiterated there are legal and planning processes that have to be adhered to before Clare County Council selects the route.
“Eventually the matter will go to An Bord Pleanála. At no point will the selection of the route or whether the road has planning permission be my decision,” he said.
Deputy Dooley told the minister there is a groundswell of opposition to the continuation of this project, which has caused considerable concern in South-East Clare.
“There is concern in my constituency from people who will be impacted negatively, particularly members of the farming community. They are concerned because they cannot plan for the future. The Government is not in a position to identify whether the road will proceed. Lands will be sterilised, effectively making them valueless. This is putting farmers in the difficult position of not being able to plan for the future development of their farms.
“I ask the minister to consult Oireachtas members from the region to try to resolve this matter. If we continue to progress along the preferred route that is now emerging, it will impact on the lives and families of far too many people. I ask the minister to begin a review process at his earliest convenience,” he said.
Deputy O’Donnell welcomed the minister’s comments that constructive dialogue should take place between the local authority, Clare County Council and people living on the route. He stressed the views of the people living in the area should be made loud and clear.
Minister Varadkar pointed out Phase Two of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road involves an extension of the road to tie in with the R445. This element of the scheme was proposed by Clare County Council and is supported by Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council.
He encouraged people to participate in the public consultation process, following the extension of the statutory period until March 12.
“This project is part of a long-term plan for economic development for Limerick City and its environs within County Clare. It is important to complete the route selection stage of the project in order to preserve a route corridor in the relevant local authority plans. This will enable the council to progress this project in the future. However, I should state it is unlikely the scheme will progress any further than route selection for some time,” he said.