Cavan and Monaghan local roads funding
Deputy Carthy criticised rising motoring costs alongside reduced local roads funding in Cavan-Monaghan and demanded a review. The Tánaiste said he would take the issue to the Transport Minister, but the exchange became combative over whether he was answering directly and what local representatives had said.
At a time when petrol and diesel costs are rising again and when the Tánaiste's Government has indicated that it intends to raise carbon tax even further, does he understand the anger of people who cannot drive on their local roads because of the conditions? People in rural areas, as well as paying for huge fuel costs, are forking out for motor tax, local property tax, which the Government has increased, and soaring insurance prices, yet many local roads are in the worst condition in decades. In that context, it is unacceptable that funding provided to local roads has actually been reduced in counties like Cavan and Monaghan. In fact, in Monaghan, for example, the allocation for local roads improvements has been reduced by nearly €800,000 this year compared with last year. That is happening at a time when the cost of repairing roads is also increasing, so the funding cuts are even more unacceptable. Will the Tánaiste ensure that the local road funding allocations are reviewed as a matter of urgency so that people who are paying all these charges actually have roads that are in a fit condition to drive on?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Carthy. I will certainly engage with the Minister for Transport on the specific issues he has raised in relation to Cavan-Monaghan. We are increasing the amount we are providing to the Department of Transport, increasing the amount of capital funding and announcing additional road funding allocations. I need to get a better understanding of the situation in relation to Cavan and Monaghan so I will ask the Minister-----
Comment on this
Have the Tánaiste's representatives not been telling him?
Comment on this
My representatives keep me very informed. In fact, Deputy Carthy will be glad to know-----
Comment on this
The Government cut the funding for local roads by €800,000.
Comment on this
But the Tánaiste is not answering it.
Comment on this
-----in good faith, he immediately resorts to partisan politics. That is his choice. Senator Joe O'Reilly and Deputy David Maxwell raised this matter at the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party last night, Deputy Carthy will be glad to know. I also told them the Minister will be looking into the issue. I will give them the news as well.
Comment on this
That is not good enough. We need a review.