A Waterford TD has questioned the cost of the Dunkettle Interchange in Cork, which he's labelled a "fancy pants roundabout".
Addressing the Tánaiste in the Dáil, Matt Shanahan suggested the cost has taken from local projects, including the N24.
He says the cost of that interchange has grown significantly.
"It was originally signalled at €77 million," Deputy Shanahan stated, "then €88 million, then I gather it was signed-off in the early days of your premiership at €216 million.
"Even that sounds a lot for a fancy pants roundabout!
"23 years ago the Jack Lynch Tunnel cost €133 million, which would be around €233 million now.
"This overspend has killed off road projects elsewhere. It certainly stands in stark contrast to the lack of any development of the N24 or N25 - vital infrastructure for developing the South East region."
Waterford Independent TD, Matt Shanahan, questioning the Tánaiste on the Dunkettle Interchange
Tánaiste, Mícheál Martin, said he understood where the Waterford deputy was coming from with the mention of those two projects.
However, he feels that major road projects should not be pitted against each other.
Giving quite a GAA-themed response, the Cork-native said, "[The Dunkettle Interchange] is an excellent infrastructure. It's designed to facilitate the hoardes of Waterford supporters that will come to Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday to play Cork!
"It will mean a faster slipstream into the Jack Lynch Tunnel - aptly named after one of our greatest hurlers and the man who won six All-Irelands in-a-row.
"But inflation happens and costs go up. There is no doubt that there was a necessity for that piece of infrastructure - as there is for the N24 the N25. I don't think we should put one against the other.
"To be honest, on the bill... we'll hand you the bill when we get it."
Deputy Shanahan has since been critical of the Tánaiste's response, which he felt was dismissive of the valid points being raised in relation to funding for South East infrastructural projects.
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