The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan marked the start of construction of a major new section of the N22 road in Co Kerry earlier today.
Billed as a "strategically important" piece of infrastructure, the four-kilometre stretch between Gortatlea and Farrenfore will cost €14 million and is due for completion within 18 months.
Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony this morning, Mr Brennan said the N22 is "one of the primary tourist corridors in the country and a vital commercial link in Co Kerry's road network".
Mr Brennan added that the Government was now spending up to €150 million a month on road projects across the State. He said the investment was as a result of the recently-agreed five-year funding project.
Mr Brennan said the programme of almost €7 billion was an historic agreement and said the addition of €2 billion in private investment would mean a total of €9 billion will be poured into building new motorways and dual carriageways on a scale never before envisaged.