Rural roads programme
Deputy Neville and Deputy Breathnach also raised rural roads, asking for emergency initiatives and more money for county and third-class roads. The Tánaiste said the roads programme would be announced soon and that rural roads in some areas needed priority, but he could not announce details yet.
-----I remind the Tánaiste that there was a minority report too, and one of his own members formulated that report.
During the talks on the programme for Government, the rural Independents advocated for funding for rural roads. The rural roads are decaying by the day and we are inundated with complaints. Any TD from rural Ireland will know that. When will we see some forward investment? We were promised it would be in the latter half of the second or third year of the Government. We cannot wait. Funding for rural roads is needed now. After the frost and the rain this winter they are in an awful state and it is unfair to the travelling public in rural areas who have to repair their cars following the national car test, NCT. They are being knocked about every day. The roads are impassable in many areas. When will the Government act?
Comment on this
Excuse me. I thought Deputy Murphy was a rural TD as well. I am surprised he is objecting to this question.
Comment on this
I was not in the House but I know that question was answered by the Taoiseach yesterday. I cannot take it with others because this is Leaders' Questions.
