Treatment of Ceann Comhairle and roads funding
Deputy Cleere condemns the intimidation of the Ceann Comhairle and then raises local road projects in Kilkenny. The Taoiseach agrees about yesterday’s treatment of the Chair and says the national development plan will allow further review of roads funding.
Regarding proceedings which happened yesterday, I spoke with my four daughters last night about the carry-on, intimidation, bullying and abuse the Ceann Comhairle was subjected to yesterday, which was nothing short of disgraceful. Nobody should be bullied in the workplace. They asked me to say hello to you and wish you well as they are thinking of you.
I want to discuss a couple of infrastructural projects. The Government has put of lot of money into such projects, but there are a couple of key ones in my constituency, Kilkenny. Funding was made available for route selection on the north extension of the Kilkenny ring road and the N24 Waterford to Cahir road, which covers 20 km through south Kilkenny. We want to make sure these projects are fast tracked. They have been held up by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. We need an update from TII on the ring road, the N25 Waterford to Glenmore road, the Waterford to Cahir road and the N78.
Comment on this
I agree with what the Deputy said regarding how the Ceann Comhairle was treated yesterday.
We have invested significantly in national roads funding. I take on board what the Deputy said.
As I say, the national development plan gives us an opportunity to review and refresh these proposals. We have invested heavily in the national road network but, obviously, we need to do more. The Department of Transport has allocated approximately €2.7 billion since 2020. Many projects are at different stages of progress. We will certainly do everything we can to respond to the issue the Deputy has raised.