Minister for Transport Shane Ross has allocated €1 million for the M20 scheme to connect Cork to Limerick.

Labour TDs for Limerick City and Cork East, Jan O'Sullivan and Seán Sherlock welcomed the announcement.

Deputy O'Sullivan said: "The road between Ireland's 2nd and 3rd cities is totally inadequate and approval to start the process of upgrading it is very welcome. It will be important to maintain momentum until the project is completed. A good quality road between Cork and Limerick will make a huge difference, in conjunction with the work nearing completion on the Limerick to Galway route in getting a better regional balance so that population, prosperity and growth can develop in the Western half of the country to match the Dublin region."

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Deputy Seán Sherlock added: "It keeps the Northern Relief Road for Mallow alive and answers the question about whether TII was going to progress a motorway from Cork to Limerick. Munster people need this. This is the key to unlocking the south west for further job creation and regional development."

(CD/LM)