Mr. Fred Barry:

I am not speaking for the Government or getting into that arena. Normally the Government does not direct us as to whether we put money into a section near Aughnacloy or in some other place. In some cases it gives us a specific direction on larger schemes. It has strategic plans such as the national development plan which pick out the larger strategic developments, and in this respect it tells us what we need to do. On other issues we are left to use our own judgment as to whether we should do A or B. In this case I am saying very openly to everybody that we have insufficient funding next year to carry out basic rehabilitation and maintenance work on the national road network, to the extent that if any additional money comes our way, unless it comes with a direction to use it elsewhere, it will go, in the first instance, to managing what we have.

The Aughnacloy project is undoubtedly very worthwhile - there is no issue about that - but it is one of very many worthwhile and necessary schemes throughout the country. To advance such projects involves much more than €1.5 million.