Taoiseach Simon Harris to seek 'urgent update' on M20 Limerick to Cork road project

Taoiseach Simon Harris is to seek an 'urgent update' from the Minister for Transport on the M20 Limerick to Cork road.

The preferred corridor for the route was revealed by planners last November and it's hoped to submit the project to government by the end of this year after which a formal planning application will be lodged with An Bord Pleanála.

Speaking at a Fine Gael event in Patrickswell over the weekend, Mr Harris said he is a "big believer" in continued investment in the road network.

"I signed up to a Programme for Government that is anti-carbon, not anti-car; a Programme for Government that recognises that we all need to change how we live - we get that, we get the climate emergency, we absolutely need to continue to improve our public transport and I commend the work of Minister (Eamon) Ryan in relation to that but we also need to continue to invest in our road network," he told reporters.

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"I'm very conscious of the fact that in the Department of Transport now, there are very many large capital projects and that is a good thing. I will certainly be seeking an urgent update in relation to the M20 and engaging with my colleagues here (in Limerick). I haven't had that opportunity yet to sit down and talk to Minister Ryan in relation to it but from the point of view of Fine Gael in government, continuing to invest in our road network."

The Taoiseach said such investment is important from a safety point of view but also in terms of the transition to electric-power vehicles. "Where are we going to put these electric vehicles? We do need to actually have good safe roads to put them on so I don't think it's a question of 'is it public transport or is it roads?' - It's a question of investing in our infrastructure overall."