OIREACHTAS TRANSPORT committee chairman Frank Fahey has defended his decision to erect unauthorised billboards in support of the Galway city outer bypass.
The Galway West TD and former county councillor has confirmed he has been asked by Galway County Council to remove the billboards at Cappagh road and Barna, but intends to apply for retention. "It is a genuine attempt on my part to show the enormous significance of this project to the people of Galway," he told The Irish Times.
The billboards, which state that the “Galway city outer bypass starts here” and attach Mr Fahey’s name, constituency office address and contact details, are on the western section of the route which has been denied planning approval by An Bord Pleanála.
Galway County Council says that the billboards are in breach of planning regulations and litter legislation and will have to be removed within “several days”.
Half of the route from the city’s eastern border as far as Gortacleva was approved by An Bord Pleanála in November 2008, but permission for the western section from Gortacleva to Barna was turned down due to its impact on Tonabrocky Bog’s slender cotton grass (eriophorum gracile) and designated habitats.
The board’s decision on the approved section was then appealed to the High Court. Late last week, the court dismissed the challenge by Hands Across the Corrib Ltd and environmental consultant Peter Sweetman.
Mr Fahey said he believed there was strong public support in Galway for the project. “It is my firm belief that the growth and development of Galway city will be negatively hindered unless this vital piece of infrastructure is allowed to proceed and soon,” he said.
“Once completed, it will be a critical part of the integrated transport plan that will enable Galway city to have a high quality public transport system,” he said. There was a “silent majority” in support of the road project, he said.
