Latest news with #NationalDevelopmentplan
The Journal
20-07-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Government plans to inject up to €30bn extra into Ireland's infrastructure
THE GOVERNMENT IS finalising plans to inject up to an additional €30bn into Ireland's infrastructure between 2026 and 2030. Fianna Fáil Minister for Public Expenditure, appearing on RTÉ's This Week radio programme today, said that the plan is to be published on Tuesday, and that the coalition party leader met last night. 'This really gives an opportunity for transformational investment within the Irish economy. 'Over the next five to 10 years we'll be providing up to €30bn in additional capital expenditure… that's for the National Development Plan, the roads, the schools, the health infrastructure, and the homes that are critical to ensuring Ireland's prosperity and growth over the medium term,' Chambers said. He said that the plan will also present a long term commitment to €200bn in capital investment, which he said will help to 'bridge the infrastructure deficit' we have in the country. Advertisement He was questioned on where an additional €10bn has come from, as before today it was expected that the figure would be an additional €20bn, rather than the thirty that has been announced. Chambers said that of the additional €30bn, ten is being set aside for 'specific strategic investment', and that the money will be 'ring fenced for our grid, our water infrastructure and also the necessity to provide that medium to long term funding for the metro project, as an example.' He said that while the Government was making these plans it didn't want to see the likes of public transport and road infrastructure competing for funding. Chambers said that the purpose of the plan being announced this week is to provide 'funding certainty' which has been an issue 'in the last number of years'. Chambers said that the Government is not planning to publish its new housing plan until Autumn time, as part of the National Development plan. Responding to Mary Hanafin's comments about how it would be a 'disgrace' if Fianna Fáil didn't run an election candidate in the presidential race, Chambers said that the party is engaging on the matter 'internally' and that it will set out its position 'in the early autumn'. He also said that he is not aware of any engagements between Fianna Fáil and the former Chief Medical Officer of Ireland Tony Holohan on a potential presidential bid. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Cork residents concerned about proposals to establish tolls along the Blarney to Mallow stretch of the M20
The issue was highlighted in the Dáil by Cork politician Ken O'Flynn on Tuesday, June 17. Deputy O'Flynn said M20 tolls must be removed from Blarney to Mallow as they are likely to generate a significant impact on members of local communities who will have no other choice but to use the road for work on a daily or regular basis. The Independent Ireland TD for Cork North Central reiterated that many locals living in the north Cork and surrounding areas are fearful of being penalised once the new toll system becomes operational. Mr O'Flynn said: 'This project was supposed to be about the promise of finally delivering on critical infrastructure for the region, but it is rapidly turning from promise to punishment for many local people who will have no other option but to submit to daily toll fees because the lack of any other meaningful transport options.' Deputy O'Flynn wants assurances that this welcome project will not become a financial milestone around the neck of north Cork locals, particularly those living between Blarney and Mallow. 'The Taoiseach has now accepted after I pressed him on the issue, that locals will effectively face a significant impact if nothing changes and if the proposal to proceed with the tolls goes ahead as planned. 'It is vital that a revised model of tolling for certain stretches of the motorway is introduced. We still have time to ensure that this happens so that the residents of north Cork can actually benefit from the motorway as opposed to being financially punished for accessing it in instances where they have no other options but to do so,' he added. The emerging route for the M/N20 road between the two cities was announced on Monday, June 16. The route, which is set to bypass Mallow and Charleville, has been described as a 'key infrastructural priority' in the National Development plan. 100km of shared use 'active travel' infrastructure will also be included in the plans, as well as eight transport hubs, which provide parking for cars and bikes as a way to connect with other forms of transportation. These will be located in Rathduff, Mourneabbey, Mallow, Buttevant, Charleville, Bruree, and Croom. Mallow is also set to receive a new 'Freight Hub', which will provide 30 HGV parking spaces as well as rest and welfare facilities for drivers. The route largely follows its original N20 footprint, apart from significant bypasses in both Mallow and Charleville. At Mallow, the route will deviate at Mourneabbey, sweeping eastwards of the town, and splitting the towns of New Twopothouse and Doneraile, and continuing to bypass Buttevant on its eastern outskirts. The Mallow Junction transport and freight hub will be situated due east of the town, between Parkadallane and Lackanamona. The road will then sweep across the current site of the road, near Ballyhoura and onwards to bypass Charleville to its west. A major junction is due to be constructed at the site of the Ardnageehy Cross Roads, before the road continues through the townlands of Ballypierce and Kiltwohig on its way around the town. From there it will continue on its own path, running almost parallel to the current road on its way to Bruree, where a new transport hub will be built even further west of the town than the current road, at Ballyteige. Continuing into south County Limerick, the new road will skirt Banoge to the west, before joining up with the current N20 just south of Croom, at Anhid East. It will then continue on the current N20 before diverting to a brand new three leg directional junction at Gorteen, just a few hundred metres west of the current junction. The project, which could cost up to €3 billion and get underway by 2028, will see over 80km of motorway built, while almost 200 farms and some 20 homes along the route set to be subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order by the Department of Transport.
Irish Independent
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Driving times between Cork and Limerick set to get shorter – as route of new N20 project is revealed
The route, which is set to bypass Mallow and Charleville, has been described as a 'key infrastructural priority' in the National Development plan. 100km of shared use 'active travel' infrastructure will also be included in the plans, as well as eight transport hubs, which provide parking for cars and bikes as a way to connect with other forms of transportation. These will be located in Rathduff, Mourneabbey, Mallow, Buttevant, Charleville, Bruree, and Croom. Mallow is also set to receive a new 'Freight Hub', which will provide 30 HGV parking spaces as well as rest and welfare facilities for drivers. The route largely follows its original N20 footprint, apart from significant bypasses in both Mallow and Charleville. At Mallow, the route will deviate at Mourneabbey, sweeping eastwards of the town, and splitting the towns of New Twopothouse and Doneraile, and continuing to bypass Buttevant on its eastern outskirts. The Mallow Junction transport and freight hub will be situated due east of the town, between Parkadallane and Lackanamona. The road will then sweep across the current site of the road, near Ballyhoura and onwards to bypass Charleville to its west. A major junction is due to be constructed at the site of the Ardnageehy Cross Roads, before the road continues through the townlands of Ballypierce and Kiltwohig on its way around the town. From there it will continue on its own path, running almost parallel to the current road on its way to Bruree, where a new transport hub will be built even further west of the town than the current road, at Ballyteige. Continuing into south County Limerick, the new road will skirt Banoge to the west, before joining up with the current N20 just south of Croom, at Anhid East. It will then continue on the current N20 before diverting to a brand new three leg directional junction at Gorteen, just a few hundred metres west of the current junction. The project, which could cost up to €3 billion and get underway by 2028, will see over 80km of motorway built, while almost 200 farms and some 20 homes along the route set to be subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order by the Department of Transport. The announcement marks another important step along the road for what many view as a vital piece of road infrastructure. However, for some along the route, today marks the beginning of what may be a long battle in trying to preserve houses, farms, and the local environment. Members of the public can see all the information relating to the project, including the developing deign, by visit the website Public Display events are also being organised in Charleville (Charleville Park Hotel, Tuesday June 17), Adare (Woodlands House Hotel, Wednesday June 18), and Mallow (Mallow GAA Complex, Thursday June 19), all taking place from noon until 8 pm. Maps will be also made available to view at the N/M20 Project Office in Lissanalta House, Dooradoyle, Limerick, V94 H5RR and local authority offices in Cork City, Mallow, and Limerick City. A spokesperson for the project said: "Limerick City and County Council is progressing the development of the N/M20 Cork to Limerick project in partnership with Cork County Council, Cork City Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Department of Transport. The project is a priority investment in the Government's National Development Plan 2021-2030. "The project team have progressed the design and environmental evaluation over the last year and now seek, with the publication of the June 2025 project update, to inform and consult with the public and stakeholders on the developing design, including the 80km of motorway, 100km of active travel, seven transport hubs and one freight hub." "The project team continues to welcome feedback from property owners, communities, businesses and other stakeholders, through the public display events, in person meetings and a public webinar at 7pm on 24th June 2025,' added the spokesperson for the project. 'Property owners and other stakeholders within the study area will be notified by post of this update and are invited to consult with the project team, either in person, or by online or telephone meetings.' Earlier this year, €4.5 million was allocated to the project by Transport Infrastructure Ireland for the route, which has been called on for years, set to replace one of the most dangerous stretches of road on the island of Ireland over the past decade. In 2021, statistics showed that crashes on the N20 were four times more likely to be fatal than other roads, and substantially higher than other national roads across the country. Over 60 people had died on the road in the previous 25 years. The group say that the new changes will reduce travel times between Blarney and Patrickswell to 40 minutes by car (120 km/h), 45 minutes by bus (100 km/h), and 50 minutes by truck (90 km/h).
