Environmentalists' claims about “a Kerry snail” have contributed to a huge delay in providing a new highway between Kerry and Cork, the Dáil has been told.

Deputy Danny Healy Rae said the planned bypass for Macroom and Ballyvourney on the N22, the main link between the two counties, had been delayed far too long.

“We have heard from environmentalists about the ‘Kerry snail.’ To add insult to injury they call it the ‘Kerry snail,’” he said.

“How do they know it’s a ‘Kerry snail?’ Did they put a Kerry jersey on him?” Mr Healy Rae asked indignantly.

Read More

The Kilgarvan-based TD said people from places like Fenit and Cahirciveen were delayed by as much as 45 minutes going through Macroom. He said many of these were going for medical treatment in Cork and that Kerry suffered a lack of job creation due to the delays.

Replying for the Government, Education Minister Richard Bruton said good progress was now being made on the road’s planning and approaches were being made to land owners on the planned route.

Mr Bruton could not guarantee it would begin next year. But he said increased road investment of some €5bn was a positive sign.

Online Editors