The Taoiseach has said that he does not believe that the construction of a ring road around Galway is in conflict with the Government's climate action targets, but said he would be afraid to put a timeframe on the project given the delays it has faced.
Speaking at the opening of the N59 Maigh Cuilinn Bypass in Galway, Leo Varadkar said he was hopeful that planning permission would be granted for the project next year.
He said while there is a possibility of legal challenges after that, the new Planning and Environment Division of the High Court, which sits for the first time today, will enable these kinds of cases to be heard more quickly.
"I'm a strong believer that it is compliant with the climate action plan. Building the ring road will free up the city in so many different ways for pedestrians, for cyclists, being able to use road space much more efficiently for these people.
"By the time the project is fully constructed and open to traffic, by then we anticipate 80% of electricity will be driven by renewables including some off the west coast here in Galway, and we see the explosion in the number of electric cars, so I think that has to be taken into account."
The Taoiseach said the financial crisis had delayed the opening of the N59, but he said changes to An Board Pleanála in the future would also held reduce delays in the planning process for major infrastructure projects.
