An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe have marked the first full year of Project Ireland 2040 by announcing a step forward for the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway.

Cork County Council members are questioning the cost of a new design for the proposed Cork-Limerick motorway and the likely delay in securing planning, again, for the M20 route.

A €15m contract has been awarded for the design stage of the 100km Cork-Limerick motorway. However, it is unlikely that the planned €900m M20 will be completed before 2027.