I wish to raise two matters regarding the lack of infrastructure in Kerry.

On the N70 road to the west of Blackwater Bridge, on the Kenmare to Sneem road, there is a 4 km section between Foley’s Bend and the west of Tahilla Church where two large vehicles cannot pass when they meet each other. It is not safe. A lorry or bus and one car cannot pass each other but have to reverse. Can one imagine that on a busy national secondary road? An EIS, environmental impact statement, design and CPO, compulsory purchase order, process is being progressed. Improvement works will cost between €8 million and €10 million, depending on what the tenders come in at. Will the Taoiseach and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Griffin, ensure funding is made available for this section?

There is also another section of a kilometre just west of Blackwater Bridge. No design has been progressed on this yet but this is dangerous. I know it myself. If an articulated lorry passes a car on this part of the road, the car will pass the cab fine but will be caught between the trailer and the ditch. If the car cannot stop, it is stuck in the lorry or the ditch. That improvement would cost between €2 million and €2.5 million. Will the Government make that funding available?

The R551, between Ardfert and Ballyheigue, often gets flooded when there is a high tide and heavy rain. Approximately 200 m of this road becomes impassable with a mix of salt and clear water. We are looking for a specific improvement grant or funding to be made available to raise the road by 200 m to ensure the people of Ballyheigue and other road users can get in and out of the village.

Does the Deputy know where it is?

Will the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, or the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Moran, provide the funding to raise the road for people's safety? It is not fair on people that they have to get through salt water. The road can be blocked for up to a week at a time. Will the Government ensure funding is made available for these worthwhile projects?

While this question might be relevant to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have no jurisdiction over the questions asked of the Taoiseach.

It was asked last week.

The provision made for capital investment in our national, local and regional roads is close to €4.3 billion. That includes €1.8 billion on regional and local roads. I cannot make a commitment here and now about specific road projects in the Deputy’s constituency or in any other constituency. However, because the economy is doing well, more people are back at work and the public finances are back in order, we are now able to invest in our roads and public transport in the years ahead in the way we were not in the past. That allocation of €4.3 billion over the next four years will allow us to do much important work around the country improving our road network.

This will only be possible, however, if we continue to manage the economy well, do not repeat the mistakes of the past, do not engage in profligate spending and do not allow our competitiveness to fall. It is important that all Members on all sides have a bit more regard to that in the future.

The Government can spend €135 million on a footpath in Dublin. We are asking for small sums of money to be made available. In the context of what Kerry gets in a year, this is a small request. It is not fair to ask people to drive through a flood to get into their village.

The Deputy is too late. The matter was raised last week.

I did not interrupt Deputy Brassil when he raised the matter. He asked me if I knew where it is. I know too well where it is. I make no apology to anyone for raising it in the Chamber.

The Deputy is too late.

I did not interrupt Deputy Brassil.

The Deputies can have this out in Kerry. This is the national Parliament.

I did not interrupt him. The Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, criticised Jackie Healy-Rae for bringing funding down to Kerry. Let the Minister of State bring down the funding for the N70 between Blackwater Bridge and Sneem. Jackie Healy-Rae brought a lot of money and did a lot to improve sections of these roads. There are a few bits remaining to be done. It is time the Minister of State brought the funding and looked after the people of Kenmare, Sneem, Ardfert and Ballyheigue.

Deputy, please.

This is their time to provide the funding for the people of Kerry for these worthwhile projects.

I have no doubt whatever that the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, is bringing the goods to County Kerry-----

When?

-----whether through investment in tourism, and Kerry is very much a tourism county and has being doing very well in this in recent years, through sports capital projects - the Minister of State has been touring Ireland to visit many of the projects that have received Government investment in sport - or roads. Deputy Griffin is very much doing his job as a Minister of State at a national level while also making sure that Kerry gets its fair share of investment from the Government.

That completes Leaders' Questions.

I am watching him now.

There is no second supplementary.

He criticised Jackie Healy-Rae.

There will be no supplementary questions.