Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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My first question relates to our regional road network. At the moment we are significantly neglecting the upkeep and general improvement and maintenance of this network of roads. They are very important to rural Ireland in particular. There are several instances in my county. I imagine the Minister of State is familiar with the R577 that stretches from Castleisland in the centre of my county to the Cork border and on to Mallow. The road is in a sub-standard condition and it epitomises and reflects the situation more generally. There should be a significant concentration on those roads because they are very important for the whole transport system. They are important for the rural bus transport system. It is vital to ensure the upkeep and continual improvement of our local and county road network.

There is a form of discrimination. In a way, I offer my compliments for making available moneys for some of our tertiary roads, but is the distribution consistent and fair?

There is the general neglect of rural areas and, on the other side of the coin, in urban areas people are not obliged to contribute towards any service. Under the new scheme people in remote areas with tertiary roads must pay upfront to get their road improvements carried out. This is widening the gulf between urban areas and remote rural areas. We need to strike a balance here. We cannot tax people out of living in their localities. In one way I compliment the Minister of State on making this money available as it gives people an opportunity. However, in these very straitened times it is another burden on people trying to live in the environment where they were born and reared.