3 June 2018
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork South West Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Health, Jim Daly, has today confirmed that €4 million will be made available by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), for the Ballydehob to Bantry line.
Jim Daly TD, Minister for Mental Health and Older People
Picture: David Keane
‘Following my ongoing representations to Cork County Council and to the TII, I recently requested a meeting with the CEO of TII, Michael Nolan, to discuss a number of areas on the N71 in West Cork. I had a very constructive meeting and during the course of the meeting Mr. Nolan confirmed to me that he will make available €4 million for a complete new resurface of the road from Ballydehob to Bantry. Over the last few months the N71 has been undergoing a range of resurfacing and repair works in Bandon, Lisavaird, Leap and Skibbereen. It is important that the TII continue on its work out West to cover towns and villages along the N71 such as Ballydehob and Bantry.’
Over the last five years the TII have invested €10 million euro into the N71 to dramatically improve the standards of the road for those who commute to work in West Cork and for tourists who travel the highly popular Wild Atlantic Way.
Minister Daly concluded by saying, ‘I will continue my regular meetings with the TII to ensure that a schedule of works will be put in place and that the schedule will meet it’s deadlines. I will also continue my work as a Government Minister to ensure that investment continues to be made to West Cork that our roads, our hospitals, schools and communities are given every available opportunity to grow and improve to serve the people of West Cork. ‘
