U-turn on motorway opening date

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has made a u-turn on his decision to defer the opening of the €300m extension to the M9 motorway.

Minister Dempsey had requested the National Roads Authority to delay the opening of the route until the New Year.

The 27km stretch between Kilcullen in Co Kildare and the Carlow town bypass will now be opened to traffic on Monday as had been previously planned.

Reports said the decision to defer the opening was made following representations to the minister by Kildare South TD Sean Power on behalf of a number of local businesses.