BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar has been urged to look at a ‘Plan B’ for the Galway City Outer Bypass, after doubts were voiced on the chances of the project being approved by the European Court of Justice.

Galway West TD Brian Walsh said he rates the chances of the €300 million road getting the green light at 50/50.

He has now written to Minister Varadkar, urging him to draw up plans for a fresh application under IROPI legislation – which allows strategic infrastructure developments proceed if they are in the public interest.

Deputy Walsh said that even if the European Court of Justice (ECJ) rules against the bypass, the road could be allowed to proceed under IROPI (Imperative Reasons for Overriding Public Interest).

An oral hearing will take place in the ECJ next Thursday and the Advocate General – who chairs the group of judges – will deliver a preliminary judgment after six weeks. However, the final decision (which can vary from the chair’s opinion) is not expected to be delivered until next January or February.

“We have the funding for the bypass sorted under the Government’s stimulus package, but there seems to be some doubt now on a favourable decision from the European court . . . we don’t want to be in the situation of starting from scratch. We should get to work on Plan B now.”

For more this story, see the Galway City Tribune.