Danny Healy-Rae urges delay to N71 tunnel works amid tourism fears
Danny Healy-Rae raised an urgent local transport issue about the TII proposal to close the N71 tunnel pass between Cork and Kerry for 10 weeks from the 4th of November. He urged the Tánaiste and the Minister for Transport to defer the work until the end of November, shorten the planned 10-week closure and to address height restrictions in the tunnel.
Issue raised
The closure was proposed by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to stabilise part of the tunnel roof, but Healy-Rae told the Tánaiste the timing was wrong. He said the work needs to be done but criticised that it was not carried out during the long COVID shutdown and that the planned start on 4 November would hit a critical trading and tourism period.
Local economic concerns
Healy-Rae outlined local worry from businesses, farmers and tourism operators in Banan, Kinmear, Dlingariff and Bantry. He noted Molly Gallivans on the Khmer-Dlingariff road already had 22 buses booked for October, and recalled that "30 and more cruise liners came into Battery Harbour last October" and are expected to return, producing important spin-off trade.
Transport consequences and alternatives
Healy-Rae warned the tunnel is the only practical option for buses between Bantry and Khmer; the alternative eastwards route to Macomb in Meekot would add over 35 miles one way. He also highlighted pinch points in the tunnel where permitted vehicle heights are constrained and some vehicles have never been able to pass.
Requests and technical fixes
On behalf of constituents he asked that works be postponed until the end of November and that the 10-week timeframe be reduced. He called for physical changes to the tunnel where needed - raising the roof at key points from the current signed 3.5 metres to the required 3.8 metres or lowering the floor - and said modern machinery can carry out the rock-cutting work.
Official response and next steps
The Tánaiste acknowledged the case but said the timing and decisions rest with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local authority and that the minister for transport was not present. Healy-Rae said his colleague Deputy Griffin is also involved and that officials will make contact with the Minister for Transport and TII to see if a short deferral or alternative timing is possible.
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Thank you very much, Lesconcola. Tanaiste, I wish to raise with you a very urgent, serious problem that has erupted for the people of Banan, Kinmear, and on the West Cork side, Dlingariff and Bantry. A serious problem has arisen where the TII proposed to close the N71 tunnel pass between Cork and Kerry for 10 weeks from the 4th of November. Now, everyone appreciates that the work that they're proposing to carry out to stabilise part of the roof of the tunnel, that work needs to be done. But the timing is wrong, and we all know that the country was closed down for a very long time, and are disappointed that the work wasn't carried out then. I attended a meeting organised by the Banan Community Council at Stephen O'Sullivan's Molly Gallivans, as did many other public representatives, which was also attended by a massive crowd of business people, farmers and concerned individuals from the Khmer, Banan, Dlingariff, and Bantry areas of West Cork as well. It was pointed out clearly that business, tourism, agriculture, and every other aspect of life have been closed down for almost a year and a half. And they pointed out that they hope to be busy for all the month of October and the early part of November. Molly Gallivans on the Khmer, Dlingariff Road, already have 22 buses booked for October. It was also pointed out that 30 and more cruise liners came into Battery Harbour last October, and it is expected that they will return next month. The spin-off from these would certainly help Banan, Dlingariff, and the Khmer areas if they could go back and forth through the tunnel. This is the only option for buses, as the only other way to connect Bantry and Khmer would be eastwards to Macomb, in Meekot, which is over 35 miles one way. The manager of Khmer, Mapp, told the meeting, as did many farmers from the Bantry, Shkibreen, and Ghalin areas, that the main trading time for selling sheep and weanlings is the month of October and early November. So my ask on behalf of the local community is that the time for beginning the works should be put out towards the end of November, that the time frame for the works to be completed be reduced from 10 weeks, as this is way too long. And there are a few pinch points in the roof of the tunnel already that are just along the maximum height of quarters that are allowed to go through the tunnel just along them to get through. These type of vehicles have never been able to get through this tunnel, as either the ceiling of the tunnel needs to be raised in a few places or just lower the floor. The height needed is 3.8 metres, however, signage at present is only 3.5. Thanks very much, Deputy, and I know this is an important issue locally in Khmer, Gareth, Bantry and other parts of South Kerry and West Cork. I know my colleague, Deputy Griffin, is on the case as well. As you'll appreciate, I don't have any control over the timing of the works. The tunnel, myself, doesn't fall under my remit. But I do understand the case being made to defer the works for a few weeks. I'm not sure if that's possible or not, but I understand why people are calling for that. But it is ultimately a matter for TII, for Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the local authority. But I appreciate the importance of this and the fact that you've raised it here today. Deputy. Look, it makes common sense. It makes common sense to not start the works till the end of November. The mean work in the tunnel will be inside the tunnel, so weather won't matter to them. The other thing is, now that the tunnel is going to be closed at that time, the works that should be done many years ago to raise the roof from 3.5 in a few places to 3.8, that work urgently needs to be done. And look, if Deputy Griffin is interrupting me while I'm talking to the tarnisher for the few minutes that I have, interrupting and hurting the people of South Kerry and West Cork, that's fine. But look, if we hadn't talked about the story, he wouldn't need to be talking to you now. But what I'm asking now, Tarnished of you and the Minister for Transport, do not start the works till the end of November. And most certainly, raise the roof of the tunnel to make it possible for every type of vehicle that's going from one county and all other counties. Do not leave the tunnel in the state that it has been for hundreds of years. We have machinery now to cut rock and to do the necessary works. And now is the time to do it, but I'm asking not to start the works until the end of November. Deputy, I'm asking you to comply with time limits. Thank you. Thanks, Deputy. And look, I hear what you're saying and I understand the case that you're making on behalf of your constituents. Just before this, Minister Ryan, the Minister of Transport, was here for transport questions. And unfortunately, he's not here now, so I can't refer this to him. But certainly, Deputy Griffin and I will speak to him later in the day, make contact with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and see if it's possible. There may be very good reasons as to why they can't defer the works. I just don't know that. I'm not across the project and I'm not a tunnel or road engineer. But I appreciate the fact that you've taken your slot here to raise this issue. Therefore, it must be very important to you and your constituents. And we'll endeavour to make contact with the Minister of Transport to see if your suggestion can be followed. Mr. Gourmet, moving on, moving on, the independent... I'm in the lead to something out there. I'm in the lead to something out there. I'm in the lead to something out there. No, no, you may not. No, you may not. No, you may not. No, I'm going to move on to the independent... Deputy, you have so much time to raise the matter. Can we have a little respect for the Chair? I will lift in from the transport questions. I'm trying to... Deputy, Deputy Griffin... I'm going to be left in. You didn't even apply for the lottery. You could have applied. Deputy Griffin, Deputy Griffin, you're completely out of... You do, Deputy. I'm going to... It's beneath anybody to come in here and make such a snide remark about a constituency colleague. I am now standing up. Thank you. I'm going to make a statement now. Deputy Griffin, you're completely out of order. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae had the floor and he was taking his leader's question. You're completely and utterly out of order and you might see fit to come back and apologise. I am now moving on. I am now moving on to the independence. Deputy Collins, thank you.
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