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

We have the same issues with planning coming out on the national secondary roads and to a lesser extent on the national primary roads. Local councillors came up with an idea that if it is a council road, maintained by the council, that is no problem and it will come to that council first. However, a public road would not as it has not been taken in charge by the council, if Mr. Walsh understands what I am saying. It is not a private road. It is a public road but it is not in the charge of the local authority. People on that road are deprived of the possibility of getting planning. The local councillors came up with an idea, including councillors Johnny Healy-Rae and Maura Healy-Rae, and many others. The idea was for the first 100 yd of their roads to be taken in charge. I believe the local authority was okay with it but I think the request has gone to TII for approval and we have heard nothing since. I ask Mr. Walsh to look that up when he gets a chance.

We all welcome the Macroom bypass. I have a query. It is a new job and new road but there have been no slip roads. You come straight out onto the road. There have been accidents already on the new bypass where people come straight out of the Millstreet Road. A heavy articulated truck with 40 tonnes has to climb a hill, so the cars come very fast behind it. Why were there not slip roads? Why was there not a slow lane? When a lorry has a burst tyre, it cannot be moved and the wheel has to be changed. The lane has to be closed to change a wheel. Like we have in many other bypasses, why was there not a slow lane where people can pull in if something happens?