Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Again, the Tánaiste did not listen to the question. I was on about roadside hedges. I am all for biodiversity. All the other hedges that are inside can grow. I am talking about roadsides and the protection of people who travel on them.

It has emerged that the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, was warned last year that the failure to properly invest in new road projects and improvements on roads would result in 77 deaths and 381 serious injuries over the next five years. There was a shocking €88 million reduction in budget 2022, and a further reduction of €113 million in 2023, in relevant funding. The Tánaiste talked about all the investments that are being done, but TII has said exactly what the number of deaths over the next five years will be. One death over the next five years would be a lot. The Tánaiste talked about taking the advice of professionals.

To go back to road infrastructure, I want all hedges on roads to be 1 m in and straight up. Biodiversity can live inside that. When we then hit the ditches, we will not be destroying hedgerows, wildlife or biodiversity, which the Tánaiste referenced. I am here to save lives. We are here to save lives; it is common sense.

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