O’Shea Calls on TII & Department of Transport To Maintain Momentum on N/M20 Cork to Limerick Motorway Project

Deputy says project must be driven forward to approval stage and submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála without delay

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Deputy John Paul O’Shea, has called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Department of Transport to maintain momentum on the N/M20 Cork to Limerick motorway project and drive it forward to the necessary approval stage, allowing it to proceed to An Coimisiún Pleanála as soon as possible.

Deputy O’Shea was responding to an update received from TII following his Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Transport, which confirmed that the project remains in Phase 3 of the project development process, involving design and environmental evaluation.

According to the response, the project is expected to be submitted to the Department of Transport for review in late 2026 or early 2027, following completion of the necessary Phase 3 deliverables. Subject to the required approvals and funding, it would then be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála, with the statutory planning process hoped to conclude by 2028.

Deputy O’Shea said it is now essential that every effort is made to progress the project through these next stages without unnecessary delay.

“The N/M20 Cork to Limerick motorway is one of the most important strategic infrastructure projects for Cork, Limerick and the wider region. It has the potential to transform connectivity, improve road safety, reduce journey times and support economic development, investment and job creation across Munster.

“I welcome the confirmation from TII that the project is continuing through Phase 3, and that submission to the Department of Transport is expected in late 2026 or early 2027. However, we must ensure that this momentum is maintained and that the project continues to advance at every available opportunity.

“I am calling on TII and the Department of Transport to work closely together to complete the outstanding design, environmental assessment and Preliminary Business Case requirements, so that the necessary approvals can be secured and the project can proceed to An Coimisiún Pleanála as quickly as possible.

“I am also calling on the Government to consider listing the N/M20 Cork to Limerick motorway as part of the Critical Infrastructure Bill, so that the project can be expedited as much as possible and progressed through the necessary approval and planning stages without delay.

“While I acknowledge the scale and complexity of a project of this size, it is vital that there is no unnecessary slippage in the timetable. The people of Cork and Limerick have waited long enough for this essential piece of national infrastructure, and they need to see tangible progress towards its delivery.

“The Government’s National Development Plan review identifies the N/M20 among the major national road projects scheduled to commence construction or procurement by 2030, subject to the necessary requirements being met. That commitment must now be matched by determined action to advance the project through the approval and planning processes.

“Getting this project to An Coimisiún Pleanála is a critical next milestone. I will continue to press the Minister for Transport, the Department and TII to ensure that the N/M20 is given the priority and momentum it deserves.”

Deputy O’Shea added that the delivery of the N/M20 would be a major boost for communities and businesses throughout Cork North West, including towns and villages such as Charleville, Ballyhea, Buttevant, Newtwopothouse and Mallow. He said the motorway would help reduce traffic through these communities, improve road safety and strengthen the economic links between Cork and Limerick while supporting balanced regional development.

He concluded: “This is about more than a road. It is about safer journeys, better connectivity, economic opportunity and planning for the future of our region. We need to keep the pressure on, maintain momentum and move this project forward to the next stage without delay.”