I want to raise some serious road safety concerns that I have in relation to the R489. That is the main road linking Portumna and Birr and it is at the very end of my constituency and my county. Because of its geographic location, the road does not get the resources that it deserves. For 1 km from the Ferry Inn in Portumna and Lorrha the road gets extremely narrow and trucks have to stop to pass. There is a blind bend there which is extremely dangerous. I would like for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and Tipperary County Council to work together to put the necessary resources in place to alleviate this serious safety concern. Residents in the area are willing to give their property to facilitate this progress.

I accept Deputy Cahill’s deep concerns about road safety on the R489 between Portumna and Birr. I will communicate directly with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and indeed with the CEO of Tipperary County Council asking them to come together to seek resolutions to this.