New €165bn National Development Plan agreed
The new €165bn National Development Plan (NDP) was been launched yesterday in Cork and includes the development of a Cork suburban rail network.
It also includes the long-delayed Cork-Limerick motorway - although that is subject to further approval.
The plan was criticised today in the Dáil by Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire.
“The reality is, that it is just another glossy brochure filled with projects running years late, projects that are massively running over cost, projects that have been announced and re-announced for decades. When people read the NDP they quickly see that many definitelys have become maybes or not at alls.
“One of these maybes is the Cork-Limerick motorway. Comments from various Green Party Government TDs, and indeed Minister Ryan have already cast serious doubt over whether this project will ever happen, one Green TD yesterday saying the motorway was open to question. Today in the Dáil, Minister Coveney failed to confirm whether this road would be a motorway."
Launched at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the plan promises €165 billion in funding for a range of projects over 10 years.
That includes €185 million to a Cork suburban rail network between Mallow, Midleton and Cobh by 2026. It also includes four major road projects subject to further approvals. They were all previously announced in 2018 and include the M20 Cork to Limerick Road, the N25 Carrigtwohill to Midleton, the N72/73 Mallow Relief Road and the controversial M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy road.
The new NDP was described by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin as “unprecedented in scale”. He also said it would address the housing crisis and the challenge of climate change.
"This is an important day in what has been an exhaustive and comprehensive review.
"The plan gives clarity about Government investment over the next decade. We will respond to the housing crisis, we will react to the climate emergency.”
He added that the Housing For All plan will get the funding to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes.
“Housing is the most urgent and important social issue facing our country right now,” he said.
Conor Healy, Cork Chamber CEO said, “The clarity provided by the NDP will be well regarded by a business community anxious to ensure that fit for purpose infrastructure enables and facilitates economic growth."
However he added that “it must be noted however that the NDP can only be a success if it is delivered. Planning, objection, and speed in our courts must be streamlined, or the NDP will remain a to-do-list rather than the investment it intends to be”.