The Minister for Transport has been called to make funds available for the development of a motorway between Cork and Limerick.

Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan made the call to Minister Shane Ross following the claim of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) that the Limerick to Cork Motorway is at least 10 years away.

He said: "A motorway between Limerick and Cork has the potential to radically alter the region making it more attractive to foreign direct investment and kick start economic development and deliver jobs.

"This road in particular has been identified as crucial to achieving a government target of 300,000 jobs for the southern region yet we learn today that in the best circumstances it is still at least 10 years away. Building this motorway is a win-win situation for the government as the spin-off from regional prosperity which enable a reversal of rural decline, urban regeneration and a more equitable spread of prosperity.

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"I note with some frustration and even more concern that the Minister has allocated €1m for early activities for the project. This is basically the price Shane Ross is willing to pay ti ensure that the M20 is shelved indefinitely. The Minister even admits, while allocating the €1m, that he cannot see the project advancing beyond the stage of early activities unless additional money in made available.

"I agree with the Construction Industry Federation that the building of a motorway between Limerick and Cork is the most important infrastructure project in the terms of the Atlantic Economic Corridor.

"This project has the potential to address the issue of uneven development whereby the greater Dublin region has developed at the expense of the rest of the country."

(CD/MH)