‘Major boost’ for south Tipperary as significant road upgrade returns to national plan
The N24 upgrade has been re-included on the National Development Plan (NDP).
A major road upgrade in south Tipperary – the N24 Cahir to Waterford project – has been reinstated in the National Development Plan (NDP), in what local representatives describe as a significant boost for the region.
The upgrade of the major road, which makes up 1pc of the road network in Tipperary, is set to be carried out in two stages – the Cahir to Limerick Junction section and the Cahir to Waterford section.
The Cahir to Limerick Junction section had been prioritised, while the Cahir to Waterford section stalled due to lack of funding.
However, now that the project has been put back on the NDP, there is real hope that the entire section will be delivered.
Independent councillor John O’Heney confirmed the project’s re-inclusion, and said that the project will aim to increase road safety for people who use the N24.
"I am delighted that the N24 Cahir–Waterford upgrade has been reinstated in the National Development Plan today and that concurrently, the Cahir to Oola / Limerick Junction section of the N24 is making major strides forward under the separate N24 Cahir to Limerick Junction and Oola Transport Project,” he said.
"This means that not only is the southern stretch towards Waterford back on track, but the western link, connecting Cahir through Tipperary town, Limerick Junction, Oola and beyond, is being actively progressed.
"For communities along this corridor, that promises enhanced road safety, improved traffic flow, and better cycling/walking infrastructure.
Cllr O’Heney said that the inclusion of the project is a boost for south Tipperary.
"Together, these developments represent a major boost for South Tipperary and the region as a whole, providing renewed hope for reliable and sustainable transport links, supporting local economies, and improving quality of life for residents,” he said.
"I look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders to drive forward these critical projects,” Cllr O’Heney added.
Today's News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, November 27
Currently, despite only making up 1pc of Tipperary’s road network, the N24 accounts for 25pc of the county’s road deaths every year.
At the November meeting of the Tipperary-Cahir-Cashel Municipal District, councillor Marie Murphy said that a significant sum of public money has already been spent on the project.
"Over the last 20 years, €10million has been spent between the three past projects, over €10million in public funds has been wasted on it,” she said.
The N24 upgrade from Cahir to Waterford is a massive project that is at a critical juncture this year, two Tipperary TDs told the Dáil on Wednesday this week, November 26.
Independent TD Mattie McGrath said: “Only €80,000 was given in 2025 to keep the project alive. It did not keep it alive - it actually wound it down,” he said.
The councils of Tipperary, Waterford and Kilkenny met on Monday night, November 24. “They are very anxious that this will go ahead,” he said.
“The number of fatalities over the decades has been just appalling. Twenty-five percent of all fatalities are on that part of the road, which goes from Foynes Port to Rosslare Europort and on to Waterford Port. It is so important for infrastructure, connectivity, trade, business, tourism and everything.
“We are making progress on the Cahir to Limerick and the Cloghabreeda to Limerick sections, and that is very welcome, but we want this project now.
“I am appealing to the minister of state (Michael Healy-Rae) to ask the Minister for Transport, Deputy O’Brien, to try to make sure this project is kept alive and that we get the requisite funding to bring it to An Coimisiún Pleanála.” A lot of money has been spent on the project over the decades - almost €20 million, added Deputy McGrath.
“I cannot impress enough how important this is for people living on the route, farming on the route and people who want to get planning permission for anything else.
“This development must get the green light. We must know where we are and get certainty. We have to be sure where we are going,” added Deputy McGrath.
FG Tipperary TD Michael Murphy said the N24 upgrade, particularly the Cahir to Waterford section, “is a critical piece of national infrastructure yet throughout all of 2025, the project has remained stalled at the preferred route stage with no movement towards detailed design.”
At the same time, the Cahir to Limerick section has advanced, creating what is a clear imbalance along a single strategic corridor. Deputy Murphy, in his role as chair of the Oireachtas committee on transport, has engaged directly with the minister and also with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), as recently as last Wednesday. “However, engagement is not enough. We now need delivery,” he said.
“On the ground, the urgency is obvious. The Clonmel bypass is carrying more than 20,000 vehicles every single day, far beyond its intended capacity. This results in daily congestion, compromised safety and real economic loss for businesses and communities across Tipperary and the wider region.
“It is not a local issue. It is a bottleneck that is affecting connectivity between Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford and ultimately the functioning of our ports and supply chains.
“The N24 is a spine linking two major cities yet one half of the corridor moves ahead while the other is left waiting. That is simply not tenable.”
“It is crucial that funding be provided in 2026 to put this project firmly back on track. This not about delivery or delay. We just need to get this project moving,” he said.
Deputy Healy Rae said the N24 Cahir to Waterford project aims to enhance regional accessibility and improve connectivity between Limerick and Waterford.
The project would bypass towns such as Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir, as well as deliver significant road safety improvements. In addition, the project would provide improved access to international markets, as the N24 connects to the N29, which links directly to the port of Waterford. The N24 also connects to Rosslare Europort via the N25.
The project would improve the quality of life of commuters and local residents through improved journey times and the provision of new cycling and walking facilities.
It is envisaged that the N24 will enable connection to the Waterford Greenway, which will in turn connect to the South East Greenway which will run from Waterford city to New Ross.
”The project is currently nearing the end of the route options selection phase. Kilkenny County Council, as the lead authority for the project, is making final preparations for the publication of the route selection report,” said Deputy Healy Rae. The report will be available from the project website once published.
As with all national roads projects in the National Development Plan (NDP), the delivery programme for the N24 Waterford to Cahir project will be kept under review for 2025 and in future years and will be considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
Deputy McGrath said the proposed route bypasses Mooncoin and Carrick-on-Suir and provides a flyover for Kilsheelan, “yet it inexplicably continues through the existing congested Clonmel bypass, the only urban area with daily traffic bottlenecks. We have to re-examine this and go back to the drawing board.”
Deputy Murphy added: “Unfortunately, the Cahir to Waterford section remains stalled. In the meantime, the congestion on the Clonmel bypass shows the cost of inaction. There is pressure on safety, lost economic potential and weakened regional connectivity.