Cork roads funding
Deputy Collins criticised what he called chronic underspending on Cork roads and compared it unfavourably with other counties. The Taoiseach said he would examine the comparison and ask the Transport Minister to respond.
People all over Cork county and city are incensed at the paltry amount in roads funding given to Cork each year. While canvassing in Baltimore, Kealkill, Kinsale, Drimoleague and Macroom last week, the thing on the top of everyone's lips is the condition of our roads.
The independent AIRO report drawn up by Cork County Council proves the Government’s underspend has gone unnoticed despite the Minister for Finance meeting and committing to examine the report, all to no avail. Last week we had another exercise in can-kicking when councillors from Cork met the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, to plead for extra funds. This meeting should have been organised by the local TD four years ago. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors locally are screaming and shouting blaming everyone but their own Government for non-delivery.
I will make one quick comparison. Regional roads in Kildare make up 482 km and in Cork they are 1,402 km. Local roads in Kildare make up 1,889 km whereas the equivalent figure in Cork is 10,465 km. In total, Kildare has 2,372 km of road while Cork has 12,200 km of road. Can the Taoiseach tell the Dáil why Kildare’s roads budget is €11,163 per kilometre but Cork just gets €6,011 per kilometre? How will he address this immediately?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Collins for raising the important issue of Cork roads funding and the condition of the roads. It is an issue I hear from my own colleagues in the county of Cork. I will look at the comparison he gave of Kildare and Cork and will ask the Minister for Transport to get back to the Deputy.