Speech by Noel Dempsey TD, Minister for Transport at the official opening of the N2 Clontibret to Castleblaney Bypass

Date: 05 November 2007

Introduction

The opening of this Bypass today is another major milestone event in the upgrading of our national road network.

This project coupled with other high-quality road infrastructure projects such as the opening of the N2 Carrickmacross Bypass in January 2005 and the opening of the N2 Monaghan Bypass in September 2006 will provide quicker and safer road links within the county of Monaghan and, with the completed motorway schemes on the M1, it will also provide an important step forward towards a rapid and predictable road transport artery from Derry/Donegal to Dublin.

It is indicative of the effort being made countrywide to improve the internal road transport infrastructure between regions and within regions, to contribute to the competitiveness of the productive sector and to the achievement of balanced regional development.

Scheme

The scheme which is 15.9km in length is a realignment of the existing N2 National Primary Route from the townland of Moy Otra north of Clontibret to the town land of Drumcrew south of Castleblayney town. The N2 National Primary Route is the main arterial route from Dublin to Derry, Donegal and the northwest and the section from Ardee to north of Emyvale forms part of the Trans-European Road Network.

This is 2+1 road type and it provides safe two-lane overtaking zones, which alternate with one-lane sections, at intervals of approximately 2km.

Benefits of Scheme

The Bypass will be invaluable to Castleblayney and Clontibret and will benefit industrial development and local traffic congestion. It will also help the area to fulfill its huge tourism potential. It will have a very positive impact, socially, economically and environmentally on the entire region.

The new bypass will enhance the quality of life in both places and will also allow the visitor and local person alike to enjoy even more the wonderful recreational facilities of Lough Muckno, the largest of Monaghan's many lakes.

Financial package for the Northern Ireland Executive

As you are aware, my colleague the Minister for Finance Mr. Brian Cowen TD announced in April that the Irish Government has made available funding of €580 million towards road improvements in Northern Ireland.

Together with the UK Treasury funding, this will support an unprecedented package of infrastructure investment, including a major new roads programme to provide dual carriageway standard on routes within Northern Ireland serving the North West Gateway of Letterkenny/Derry and on the eastern seaboard corridor from Belfast to Larne. The agreement to develop a dual carriageway standard road to Derry and Donegal removes the single greatest impediment to the future development of the North West and the border counties.

National Roads

The opening of this project today together with the many others which are ongoing all around the country are the clearest possible evidence of this Government's commitment, under the ambitious framework of the National Development Plan and Transport 21 to the continuing transformation of Ireland's transport infrastructure.

Many factors contribute to the capacity of an area or region to grow and develop. A well educated workforce, a strong research and development base, a good well functioning physical infrastructure, an entrepreneurial culture, good public services and so on are all very important. It is clear however that a good transport infrastructure is of particular importance.

This Government has, accordingly, prioritised investment in road infrastructure in recent years.

BMW Region

This year, over €52.5 million has been allocated for national roads in the county. In the BMW region national road investment is at an all-time high. Many projects are under construction including N6 Galway to Ballinasloe, N6 Kinnegad/Athlone (Phase 2), and the N4 Dromod Rooskey Bypass.

On Friday last I opened the N5 Charlestown Bypass. In 2008, we will see the commencement of construction on other major projects in the region including the N18 between Galway and Ennis, where two schemes comprising over 50km of high quality dual carriageway will be built.

Numerous other schemes are at varying stages of the planning process including projects on the N5, N14, N15 and N26 routes amongst others.

The upgrading of our national transport network such as these schemes is a key element in enhancing regional accessibility and more balanced regional development.

Road Safety

What is common to all the national road projects, whether big or small 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 built-up traffic.

The high quality dual carriageways/motorways we have been building have been proven to be seven times safer than the roads they replace. By opening over 100km of new roads in 2007, we are adding to the safety of our national road network.

In remembering to slow down, fasten safety belts and never ever drink and drive, we should bear in mind that when we get behind the wheel, our lives, and those of other road users, depend on our behaviour.

Conclusion

I will conclude now by thanking all those involved for their hard work in bringing this scheme to fruition:-

- the NRA and Monaghan County Council

- Gama Tubin Construction Ltd

- Engineers: W.S. Atkins Ireland Ltd

- Landowners in the region and

- anybody else who had a role-big or small in the scheme.

Ends