Critical to the development and success of rural Ireland, including the midlands, is a good quality and reliable road network. The upgrading of our transport is key to delivering regional jobs and encouraging companies to locate west of Dublin. When can we expect to see the Roads (Amendment) Bill? This Bill will provide for the transfer of responsibility for certain national roads and regional roads from councils to the National Roads Authority, which seems to have a huge allocation of funding for development. I see a lot of misuse of that funding up and down the country where, for example, signs are being taken off the roads and roads are being ripped up and replaced without any explanation. I would like the National Roads Authority to make better use of the funding which becomes available to it.

The Roads (Amendment) Bill is due in the second half of this year.