Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will return to something Mr. Nolan said in which he insinuated that he had no problem with the private sector opening service stations, but at the same time TII used its position to make objections to those looking for planning permission to build them. That is outrageous. Neither the Fitzpatricks, Mr. McDonagh nor anyone like them has contacted me or asked me to raise this matter, I do so because it is extremely unfair if TII is not in a position to provide service stations for it to object to someone else who wishes to do so. Those who are willing to step up, borrow money or use their own resources to provide an excellent service station on a motorway should be encouraged in every way possible to do so. The National Roads Authority tried in every way possible to hinder the Fitzpatricks when they were opening their service station by not allowing them to put up signage to advertise the services they were providing. It was outrageous that instead of assisting them, the NRA blocked them in every way it could. That is why one sometimes sees services using a lorry inside a field to advertise because TII or its predecessor, the NRA, would not allow them to erect signage indicating that there was a service station ahead. There is a complete lack of joined-up thinking.

On the reduction in the budget for maintaining national roads, I heard one of the delegates refer to regional variations. I can highlight one regional variation between other parts of the country and my county, for which more funding is needed because County Kerry has so many roads that are not classed as national roads. Some of the worst roads in the country are in north Kerry. The N69, from Tralee to Tarbert, requires major investment. It is the only national road in the Listowel municipal area. Everyone here recognises the importance of the Ring of Kerry, the N70, from the point of view of tourism and the large numbers of local residents who use it in travelling to Kenmare or Killorglin. Many sections of it badly need to be widened and improved.

On safety issues in County Kerry, I refer to problems on two sections of the N22, the main Killarney to Cork road. The first is the junction where it meets the R569 at Poulgorm, at which there have been so many accidents, because of which everyone has asked for the provision of traffic lights, which should be very simple to do. However, TII is talking about removing traffic lights in other places. Because of the number of accidents recorded, this section of the road must be illuminated at night. I would like TII to deal with that issue specifically.

With other members of Kerry County Council, I have been drawing attention to a serious problem in the village of Glenflesk where recently a young lady sadly lost her life while crossing the road. The speed limit needs to be reduced in the village. On one side of the road is O'Brien's service station, a bus stop and the post office, while on the other there is the church. On leaving the church many have to cross the road to where they parked their cars. In doing so they take their lives in their hands as it is a place where any driver can legally travel at 100 km/h. We have begged for a speed reduction. It is the only place of which I am aware in Ireland where someone can legally drive through a village at 100 km/h. The village has industrial units, a football field and a community hall. I want something done about this issue.

I seek an update on the Macroom bypass on the N22. There has been some progress, but can we have specific dates on which construction will start and the work will be completed?

I have referred numerous times to the Dale Road on the R556 from Tralee to Ballyduff. It is one of the worst sections of road of which I know in County Kerry. In fact, I would vote it as the worst road in all of Ireland and want TII to examine it. It will take considerable funding to improve it. The delegates spoke about roads being built on a bog. I readily admit that the problem is that the road was built on a bog and that it will take substantial funds to trunk it properly because while it might look good for a while after putting a new surface on top, it would sink again. A section was done some years ago and the work proved to be very successful, but funding is required to bring the road up to the required standard. In its current condition it is a complete hazard. Those who drive vans or jeeps or pull trailers or something similar take their lives in their hands. Someone has some hope if he or she is travelling in a car, but if someone is towing something, it is like travelling on the sea.

A special case for can be made for the provision of extra funding for roads in County Kerry.

That is because we are coming from such a low beginning. We have many roads and we have missed out on money over the years so we should be treated as a special case and we should get additional funding. I would like the TII to look at the situation in County Kerry, and if we could deal with the specific issues that I have raised here, I would be very thankful to the witnesses.