€ 20m spent on motorway before it was parked
THE government spent €20 million on preparation for the scrapped M20 Cork-limerick motorway, members of Cork County Council heard this week.
The expenditure on the shelved project led to angry scenes at Monday's meeting of the local authority, where Fianna Fail were accused of 'grandstanding' over the matter, while Fine Gael were charged with 'hiding' from the issue.
The National Roads Authority recently confirmed that no funding was available for the motorway, which was to form part of the 'Atlantic Corridor' along the west of the country.
Cllr Alan Coleman (FF) called for a suspension of standing orders at the meeting to have the matter discussed.
"We have spent €20million on this project, we need to protect that investment," Cllr Coleman said.
However, County Mayor Tim Lombard, Cllr Michael Hegarty and Cllr Kevin Murphy — all FG — all argued that motions were not to be heard this week due to an impending pre-budget discussion and that Cllr Coleman knew of this prior to the meeting. "Cllr Coleman should dispense with the grandstanding," Cllr Hegarty said.
Fine Gael councillors further suggested an amendment to his proposal which would see the matter discussed after the Council's pre-budget meeting — from which media were banned from attending.
This amendment was passed, with Cllr Noel O'connor (FG), who had a motion on the M20 and its cost to date scheduled for debate at this week's meeting, voting in favour of deferring the discussion.
"They don't think much of us in North Cork, they're hiding," Cllr Frank O'flynn said.
"Noel O'connor has let down the people of Mallow," he added.
- JOE LEOGUE
