Taoiseach insists BAM can deliver M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway on time

Taoiseach Michéal Martin has said he anticipates that BAM can successfully deliver the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway on time.

Funded by the Department of Transport through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), the new motorway is intended to support the ongoing development of the Port of Cork’s deep water facilities in Ringaskiddy and facilitating the relocation of port activities from Tivoli.

Works are expected to get underway in the coming months and the project expected to be completed by the summer of 2028.

The contract for the project has been signed with BAM, the construction firm which has come under fire in regards to delays in building the National Children's Hospital.

Speaking to reporters in Little Island on Friday, where he was in attendance to officially open Dosco’s new purpose built manufacturing facility situated in Little Island, the Taoiseach said he predicts that the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway will be delivered on time:

“BAM have come in on time on other road projects and other civil engineering contracts. That is the position and I would anticipate that they will come in on time in terms of the M28. It's been a long time coming and is a very important project.

“This is a very good development. BAM have won the contract. They have executed similar contracts in the past."

Meanwhile Mr Martin added that the Government remains open towards providing funding for League Of Ireland Football.

Mr Martin’s comments come off the back of Ireland Under 21 manager Jim Crawford naming his squad for the June friendlies against Croatia and Qatar in Zagreb, which included 16 players that currently play or have played in the League of Ireland or the EA SPORTS LOI Academy.

Among the players included in the squad is the talented Cork City player Cathal O’Sullivan.

Mr Crawford described that there is the potential to turn Irish football into a powerhouse of player production, provided the funding is there to invest into academies across Ireland.

Mr Martin outlined that the government remain open to having dialogue with the Football Association Of Ireland (FAI) about potential future investment in the League Of Ireland academy structures.

“We are supportive of that and we will engage with the FAI in respect of League Of Ireland academies.

“I think that the academy structure at League Of Ireland level is essential.

“The standards are improving in the League Of Ireland. There is no question the league is going through a good period.

“Some good clubs, professionally organised. But it needs continuity in that regard and it needs some underpinning in terms of pipeline of players coming through.”