Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

As Fine Gael spokesperson on road safety issues, I have always supported the Government in respect of measures on road safety. I have no doubt that following the last time Oral Questions on transport issues were taken in the House, there will be no cut in any support for road safety in next week's budget, except for the €20 million allocation to reduce the waiting list for driver licences. However, the figures provided by the Minister of State could have been thrown out the window following events last week in Slane, County Meath. In recent years, there have been surveys costing €700,000, €500,000 and €200,000 carried out, yet we are still no further down the line.

I put a question to the Minister for Transport who is from my country and who has seen certain events take place in Enfield. I realise the bridge cannot be built in Slane within the coming four or five years. However, will he instruct the National Roads Authority to divert all heavy vehicles from Slane? Meath County Council made such a provision in Enfield several years ago in the interests of road safety. This evening, I must meet the families of those who were involved in that accident, which could have thrown the whole road safety strategy and road safety results out the window. I have not played politics on this matter before. This is a general question, but it is a serious issue.

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