The Thurles Inner Relief Road project will not be progressed until at least after 2021, according to Transport Minister Shane Ross.

Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD, Jackie Cahill, hit out at the Minister after he revealed during a special topical debate that the scheme would not be progressed in the near future.

"The Minister made it clear, in no uncertain terms, the Inner Relief Road which would offer some respite to residents, business owners and visitors to the town will not be progressed until at least after 2021," Deputy Cahill said.

"Also it was quite clear from the Minister that there was no firm commitment being offered after 2021 either. Additionally, he explained that the Thurles Bypass is not included in Ireland 2040/National Development Plan.

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Continuing, Deputy Cahill said no capital funding has been secured for the project, while design and planning has not been delivered yet.

"From listening to other public representatives in the area, one would think that the builders are ready to move on site," he said.

"Thurles is choking from traffic on a daily basis. We have four of the biggest secondary schools in the country in a busy market town and for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening, the town comes to a grinding standstill.

"Promises have been made to the local community for years that these two projects would be delivered. If we are going to support the local businesses in Thurles who are significant rate payers then we cannot allow this Government to fob us off. What is worse some of our public representatives are propagating the fiction that our inner relief road has the support of the FG Government.

"The only way we will see movement on the traffic problems in Thurles is if there is a change in Government."

(LM)