Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue about the lack of infrastructure and funding when we look at issues pertaining to roads. West Cork, in particular, has a population of almost 90,000. If it was a county on its own, it would be the eighth largest county in Ireland. It is on a par with County Kilkenny and places like County Westmeath. The lack of funding for infrastructure is a huge issue, however.

Last 15 August, we had significant flooding in places like Rosscarbery, in particular. Rathbarry, Skibbereen and Bantry were devastated by huge floods and they made the national if not international media. The lack of funding for the infrastructure on the ground is one of the key issues. The culvert in Bantry needs to be replaced badly because that was one of the key issues regarding the flooding of Bantry on that night. The main road network itself is also under exceptional pressure, however.

We need to have a real focus on how we are going to fund these local authorities going forward. There are significant pressures and huge costs pertaining to these developments. The cost of road development has increased dramatically, particularly in the last few months. The cost of labour and materials has increased dramatically but the budget has not matched it. Until we put a real focus on putting a proactive budget in place, areas like west Cork, unfortunately, will have that lack of infrastructure, which is huge for us.

We need to have a comprehensive debate before the budget with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in particular, on how he is going to fund these local authorities when one takes into consideration the extraordinary inflation when it comes to construction costs. These construction costs will see fewer roadworks carried out throughout the length and breadth of Ireland and will, unfortunately, have a huge impact on the rural infrastructure in west Cork in particular.