Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

It is important that we understand the challenge. If we are making progress with the national roads, there is a strong case to be made for the Department to consider a five year or ten year framework in which local authorities, particularly South Dublin County Council, could know that they will get a certain amount of money to allow them to deal with the non-national roads challenge in an effective way. This challenge includes sorting out the roads and footpaths. Last night during my constituency work in Springfield where I live, I met an 87 year old man who had fallen on a footpath. It was installed approximately 30 years ago and is in poor condition.

It is fair to make such points because major roads have been paid much attention. While driving up the Newry road for the first time in a long while to attend the recent SDLP conference, I marvelled at the progress made. However, one can find poor roads and boreens in every constituency.

In the context of the forthcoming budget, people may state that the economy is tightening, but there has been unprecedented wealth. While local authorities have been well funded, there will always be room for more. We need to deal with the issues people want us to address in our agendas. It is true that there are non-national roads in south Dublin and Tallaght that must be dealt with quickly. It is not a matter of patchwork, which is being carried out and of which every Deputy can give examples. A more fundamental approach should be taken to this problem. County managers and councillors should know on a five year or ten year basis what amounts will be made available to get work done.

I do not want to be too parochial, but I get around my constituency as much as anyone does. One wonders what the professionals are doing. I could bring someone to Firhouse where a great deal of work has been done at the Old Mill on the Old Bawn Road and elsewhere. With all of the public money expended on that road, why will it not be turned into a larger carriageway and why will there not be further scope to get rid of traffic? Everyone who must use his or her car, whether early in the morning or late at night, knows of difficulties to be addressed. There are side issues, such as the question of why people drive their children to school 100 yards away, which occurs in every constituency.

Like other Deputies, I will not be afraid to mention the recent issues concerning driver testing. People spoke about it while I went about my business in recent weeks. In reporting this debate to the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, Deputy Gormley should mention that it is an issue and people are talking about it. In every community learner drivers face up to the new challenges, wonder how they will get their tests and how effective the system will be, and it is fair to make the point. I do not say it should be easy for people to pass their tests, but they should be able to get a test. I come from a generation in which one was able to get a test easily. I did not pass the first time and that is okay. At least one was not waiting forever for a test. There are still problems with how testing is organised. In a recent Dáil debate I said a friend of mine who lives near Bray applied for a test and was sent to Naas. That makes no sense and I do not understand how professionals can make those kinds of decisions. It is fair that I mention it. Where there are difficulties with these systems we should not be afraid to say so.

I do not know whether the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will allow me to speak about the Luas extension.

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