Speech by Mr. Martin Cullen T.D., Minister for Transport at the opening of the N25 Kinsalebeg Realignment

Date: 08 December 2006

Reverend Fathers, Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to be here today at yet another road opening event which demonstrates the commitment to transform our national road network as outlined in Transport 21 - the Government's investment programme for transport development in this country over the next nine years.

Project

Built at an estimated cost of €10 million, this new roadway, which we are opening here today consists of 2.6km of standard single carriageway with junctions and access roads and has removed a narrow section of the N25. This project has involved the construction of an underpass, safety fencing, drainage, ducting and traffic signs. This necessary undertaking has been completed within its budget and two months ahead of time, as is increasingly the case with our roads development projects.

This week, we have had a number of road projects either opened or initiated - the first section of the N6 Kinnegad to Kilbeggan road project was opened on Tuesday and yesterday I was in North Tipperary for the sod-turning on the Nenagh-Limerick N7 road. All these projects are built to a different scale and are located in different parts of the country. What is common to all of these projects, however, including this opening today, is that they make for safer roads. As Transport Minister, road safety is of paramount importance to me and better quality roads make for easier, safer, road journeys in less time and in less built-up traffic.

We have seen many improvements to the N25 in recent years such as the Rathsillagh to Harristown Little Realignment Scheme, the Kilmacthomas and Youghal Bypasses and the recent opening of the N25/N27 Kinsale Road Interchange. All these road developments coupled with the construction at present of the Waterford City Bypass will improve greatly the access from the port of Rosslare to Cork, Limerick and the tourist areas of the Southwest. These road improvements will have a very positive impact socially, economically and environmentally on the entire region. The port at Rosslare as you know, facilitates all the major passenger and freight services on the Irish Sea. This port is critically important for this region bringing valuable tourist revenue in to the local communities throughout Waterford and Cork.

While we find ourselves in this peaceful part of the countryside this afternoon, we should remember that the N25 also forms part of the North/South strategic road corridor. This corridor runs from Belfast via Dublin and Rosslare to Cork thereby linking the three largest centres of population on the island and providing access to all the key commercial seaports on both the eastern and southern seaboards.

The N25 has also been identified in Transport 21 as part of the Atlantic Corridor which runs from Waterford through Cork, Limerick, Galway, Sligo to Letterkenny. The development of the Atlantic Road Corridor from Letterkenny to Waterford which was a long standing concept in the national roads upgrade programme, is now being transformed into reality.

Transport 21

Building on the good work done in upgrading our transport infrastructure in recent years, Transport 21 represents a strengthening of the Government's commitment to ensuring that Ireland has a transport network to match and support its economy. We have a buoyant economy as evident and apparent in the Minister for Finance's Budget for 2007. We have an economy that is working and a country that is at work and as a result, many people on the move. There are now, for the first time ever, over two million people at work in this country. The objective of Transport 21 is nothing less than a transformation of Ireland's transport network to match our position in the market place. This is necessary, and the huge levels of investment involved are justified, having regard to the critical importance of a good, well functioning transport infrastructure for the economic and social life of the country. A good transport system is vital for competitiveness, more balanced regional development and job creation.

National Roads Programme

This latest road opening is part of a broader programme of investment in our national roads. The project is one of 14 national roads projects open to traffic so far this year around the country. Route by route the national road network is being transformed. I mentioned some of the projects we opened this week and on 20 December next the Dublin Port Tunnel will open and the day after that the N18 Ennis Bypass will open. The fruits of this Government's transport infrastructure development policies are there to be seen right across the country. Transport 21 is all about access - access gives people the freedom and choice to travel where and when they wish, to obtain the goods they want and the services they need.

I mentioned road safety earlier and of course we are coming in to the busy Christmas period. I would like to remind road users that drink driving is not acceptable. If you want to have a drink this Christmas leave the car keys at home and make alternative arrangements. Have respect for your own life and the lives of others and do not drink and drive. I would also ask drivers not to speed and to always wear a seat belt when driving.

The latest drink driving statistics available from An Garda Siochána show that from 6 November 12 November inclusive, a total of four hundred and forty one (441) drink driving incidents were recorded, compared to 420 the previous week. I would appeal to people not to drink and drive. We must all play our part together in stopping the carnage on our roads.

Conclusion

I would like to acknowledge the contribution of all involved in bringing this Kinsalebeg project to fruition. Your ongoing co-operation and commitment in seeking better and more efficient ways of doing business will be equally important going forward. In conclusion, I would like to take the opportunity to thank in particular:

Waterford County Council

National Roads Authority

Land owners and others who have cooperated in getting the project to this stage

The contractors Noel Regan & Sons (Plant Hire) limited

Thank you all very much.