“How dare they overlook Drogheda again?
Sinn Féin TD Imelda Munster has hit out at Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien, saying his decision not to fund the Port Access Northern Cross Route (PANCR) is “disgraceful” and that he has turned his back on Drogheda.
Deputy Munster said: “We are hearing reports today that the funding application for the PANCR project to the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund has been unsuccessful.
“This is a disgraceful decision, and it must be reviewed and reconsidered as a matter of urgency.
“This is the second time that funding applications for the project have been rejected. Drogheda has been waiting fifteen years for the development of this road and today’s decision comes as a slap in the face to the town.
“Minister O’Brien came to Drogheda in February 2019 electioneering, and during his visit he called for funding to be provided for the project. Now, he is the Minister, and he controls the purse strings, and he has turned his back on Drogheda.
“This is the same attitude we had from previous governments. In the Fine Gael and Labour government some years ago we had Drogheda Ministers at the cabinet table who also failed to secure this funding.
“How dare they overlook Drogheda again?
“The development of the town depends on the PANCR going ahead. The development of 5000 planned houses depends on it under the Northern Environs Plan.
“This road would also alleviate a lot of traffic congestion in Drogheda, which has been choking the town for years.
“Minister O’Brien claims that he is working to solve the housing crisis. This is only the latest policy decision to show that he is merely paying lip service to the problem.
“I have been consistently raising this issue with successive Ministers for Housing since I was elected to Dáil Éireann and I will continue to do so.
“I have contacted the Minister’s office today by phone and email and I will be raising this issue with him at the earliest opportunity.
“This decision must be reviewed and overturned. There is no two ways about it – Drogheda needs this road.
