Last-minute questions raised about report on Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway

Fianna Fáil TD Seamus McGrath says late queries are routine and should not cause any delay to the awarding of the contract

The nude statue, above Carrs Hill, which is more visible after trees were removed, as work continues on the new motorway from Bloomfield to Ringaskiddy at the junction to Mount Oval in Cork. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The Department of Transport has raised last-minute questions about a key report on the M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy motorway, stalling the award of the main contract for the long-awaited road project.

However, Cork County Council hopes to have responded by Friday to the various issues raised by the department, fuelling hopes that everything will be in place for the Government to award the contract, clearing the way for construction to finally start on a scheme which secured planning in 2018.