M50 Division Alive & Well In National Development Plan As M20 Given No Commitments
Speaking on the publication of the National Development Plan, Aontú Rep for Cork North West Becky Kealy & Aontú Rep for Castletroy/Annacotty Eric Nelligan have hit out at the clear division of Ireland along the M50 in the National Development Plan, particularly with no the disregard for the M20 between Cork and Limerick epitomising this division.
Becky Kealy: “Budget after budget, government after government, the gap between those in Dublin and those outside of Dublin grows larger and larger. Whilst more funding is allocated to give Dublin another transport option, the road that connects Ireland’s second and third largest cities receives no commitments. Regional economies in Munster cannot take much more. Shannon Airport has lost routes which diminished it’s ability to attract FDI. The transport links between Limerick and Cork are limited, and wholly insufficient. Of the €1 billion in funding allocated to local authorities under the Urban Regeneration and Development fund, over 40% goes to Dublin alone – with the remaining 60% allocated to be divided amongst Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. The takeaway for Ireland outside of Dublin from this Plan, is that all roads lead to Dublin – whether we like it or not.”
Eric Nelligan: “This National Development Plan makes abundantly clear that Dublin is the priority for further development. Key projects such as the M20 motorway from Cork to Limerick; the Galway City outer ring road; the A5 to Derry, the Navan to Dublin Rail Line, the N4 from Mullingar to Longford; and the N24 from Waterford to Limerick, the Western Rail Corridor are all still up in the air – whilst projects which majoritively benefit Dublin are greenlighted. How is it that we do not have up to standard transport links between Limerick and Cork? How can Limerick, Cork or Waterford ever hope to compete with Dublin when its at a disadvantage by every metric? Whilst, Dublin can compete for Big Tech companies to set up shop there, rural Ireland could be left waiting another 7 years for the completion of the National Broadband Network. This Development Plan can only be guaranteed to further develop the gap between Dublin and the rest of Ireland.”
