What is the timeline for construction of Slane Bypass?

The review of the National Development Plan (NDP) which is expected to be published later thìs month, will be watched with interest by all those anxious hoping for speedy progress on the long awaited Slane Bypass.

The project is included n the Ireland 2040 plan and the current National Development Plan and all eyes will now be looking to see if it prioritised in the review of the NDP.

As it is part of the current, plan it is expected that will not change.

Meanwhile, anyone planning to take a judicial review of the planning permission must do so within eight weeks of the date of the decision.

The next phase will see the project move on to the detailed design stage and contract documents preparation. Minister Helen McEntee said she hoped the project would be progressed as quickly as possible.

"It is part of the National Development Plan and we need to make sure this continues to be the case. As far as I am concerned. I have spoken to the current Minister who is very much aware of the project.

"It is all about safety, making the village safe and ensuring that what has happened in the past cannot happen again."

"I want to acknowledge the work of Meath County Council who spent years responding to An Bord Pleanala's original decision to refuse planning permission.

The Minister said last week's decision was really positive news. "I want to acknowledge the local people who have campaigned for many years. I met many of them with my dad (Shane) who was really committed to the project. I have tried to keep it prominent on the agenda."

Deputy Darren O'Rourke said it was really positive to have got to this stage

"A huge amount of effort has gone into this, not least by the local community, public representatives and Meath County Council, particularly teh planning and transportation departments.

"It is really positive that it has cleared An Bord Pleanala. Now the real question is regards delivery. I'm conscious of the review of the development plan. We need to hear it loud and clear that they are going to fund and deliver the Slane Bypass.

"It is on all of us to push the government in that regard. We need to see it prioritised and delivered, the planning permission is there and it is ready to go."

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said exchequer funding for roads projects is allocated through Transport Infrastructure Ireland to local authorities on an annual basis. For 2025, €650,000 has been allocated for the progression of the N2 Slane Bypass. Funding for the project in 2026 will be determined later this year.