A €150 million bypass project approved so that it would be in place for the Ryder Cup in Adare may not be finished in time for the golf tournament.
In internal documents, the Department of Transport was warned that time was running out for the seven kilometre road to be finished by the time the international golf event takes place in September 2027.
A letter from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said there was no way the entire bypass scheme could be finished in time for the Ryder Cup.
However, their chief executive Peter Walsh said there was a narrow window to partially complete it to help divert traffic from the heritage town of Adare in Co Limerick.
His letter said: “This is an ambitious target given the time remaining and the work required, however not impossible if early approval to proceed is given, funding provided and resources provided.”
Mr Walsh said all state agencies working together would be “essential” if there was any hope of getting the partial bypass built before 2027.
He also warned that risks could “materialise” during the planning and construction phase that would “undermine” delivery of the scheme before the Ryder Cup started.