Minister set for talks on Outer Bypass

Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe will visit Galway next month to discuss the new route for the City Outer Bypass – which is set to be identified early next year.

The route will go on public display before a planning application is lodged directly with An Bord Pleanála under the IROPI process.

This ‘fast tracking’ process recognises that while the Bypass would have an impact on the environment, there are ‘Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest’.

Galway West TD Brian Walsh said this week that the new proposals for the long-awaited road are nearing completion and will be the subject of a public consultation process in the first months of next year.

Galway County Council is the lead agency charged with developing new plans for the Bypass, after planning permission for the original plans was refused following a challenge to the Supreme Court.

Deputy Walsh said he was satisfied that quick progress had been made since the setback of the Supreme Court quashing a decision by An Bord Pleanála to sanction the development of the road.

“It has been clear for some time that an alternative application would have to be formulated in respect of the bypass, and we succeeded in securing funding of €2 million this year to advance such plans.

“I’m pleased that the stakeholders, led by Galway County Council, have wasted no time in preparing revised proposals for a new route that will get this much-needed project back on track.

“The new application will be made under the Habitats Directive, which accepts that the development will impact on a protected environment but seeks to proceed on the basis that there are Imperative Reasons of Overriding Public Interest (IROPI).

“The Government has ensured that the path is clear for this project to proceed as soon planning permission is obtained. Funding has been committed under the capital investment plan and no time will be wasted should we get the green light.

“The Minister for Transport will be meeting with a delegation of stakeholders, including both council managers and myself early next month, and I know that he will be fulsome in his support for the project,” said Deputy Walsh.