Mr Kearney was speaking at a special meeting of Limerick County Council on the "N21 Abbeyfeale to Adare road improvement scheme".

Over 100 people from West Limerick travelled to the council chamber in Dooradoyle to voice their anger at the proposals.

The N21 Group Action Association wants to see bypasses of Adare, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale straight away at a cost of around €40 million compared to a 42km dual carriageway which Mr Kearney says will cost €400 million.

"If it goes ahead it will sound the death knell for tourism in West Limerick as well as putting a lot of farmers out of business unnecessarily.

"Also if it is not built for the next 10 to 20 years because of our present economic climate, and if a route is selected in the meantime then the land that the carriageway will be built on will be sterilized for that 10 to 20 years. That will stagnate farming and business and depress the economic situation in West Limerick and the general public will still be faced with traffic jams in Adare, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale," said Mr Kearney.

David Leahy, senior executive engineer of the Mid-West National Road Design Office, Limerick County Council, who opened the meeting, said the dual carriageway, or improved N21, from Abbeyfeale to Adare would reduce accidents, fuel consumption, travel times and through traffic for Abbeyfeale and Newcastle West town centres.

He said they were working in consultation with the NRA to progress the N21 improvement scheme in accordance with NRA project management guidelines.

Following a constraints study report six route corridor options were chosen and currently the Mid-West National Road Design Office is choosing the preferred route.

"This may be any one of the three options from end to end or an amalgamation of any of the three options. The NRA will carry out an independent assessment of the preferred route corridor," said Mr Leahy.
While member of the N21 Group Action Association listened to Mr Leahy's presentation they don't want to see it realised.

Mr Kearney said the dual carriageway will cost €400 million with no European money available.

FULL STORY: SEE OUR WEEKEND EDITION