Fahey calls for co-operation between government agencies on bypass objection

By Kernan Andrews

Government agencies opposing each other in a High Court case over the Galway City Outer Bypass is “ludicrous” and may “ultimately put the bypass in jeopardy”.

This is the view of Fianna Fáil Galway West TD Frank Fahey. He is calling for Government agencies involved in opposing sides of a High Court case regarding the Galway City Outer Bypass to come together and co-operate.

The National Park and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Environment have joined with objectors to the Bypass - Peter Sweetman, Hands Across the Corrib, etc - in the High Court Case opposing a decision to grant permission for the bypass by An Bord Pleanála which has the support of both the National Roads Authority and the Galway County Council.

The NPWS and the Department of the Environment argue that the decision by An Bord Pleanála may contravene an EU Habitat Directive.

The High Court Case, which is due to start next week, has the potential to run for some time. Dep Fahey fears that if the case is not resolved in the High Court, it may be referred to the EU courts.

“That Government agencies are opposing each other in a High Court case in this way is ludicrous,” he said. “The relevant agencies should come together to discuss the potential contraventions to the Habitat Directive, with the viewpoint to reaching a compromise that would allow this vital infrastructural project to proceed.”

Dep Fahey believes the Galway City Outer Bypass is “crucial for the development of the city and the delay to its development has already proved damaging”. He estimates that “up to €10 million” has been spent on the planning process and going through the various different stages of applications.

While he acknowledges there are ecological concerns, Dep Fahey believes it is “impossible to find a more suitable route” through the Menlo habitat that is the source of concern.

“While I share some of the concerns expressed about the ecological impact the bypass,” he said, “I am more concerned about the residents of the city and the impact that failure to develop this bypass will have on them and on the economic development of the city.”

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