James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I am sure the Acting Chairman, Deputy Kennedy, will have an interest in this area. When I was canvassing for the Lisbon treaty I came across two ladies in Swords out for a walk. They informed me that their sister had sadly passed away as a result of an accident at Ward Cross. Ward Cross is a very busy intersection and they told me that 40 fatalities have occurred at that crossroads over the years and hundreds of others have been injured and maimed. As a result they have determined that this matter should no longer go unaddressed. They have been campaigning vigorously and bravely, given the circumstances they find themselves in having suffered such a loss. I commend them on that.

I am aware this matter has been raised at Fingal County Council and the council has addressed the issue in so far as it can do so. It has a plan in place for the introduction of anti-skid surfacing, a new roundabout, signage and road works to ensure better visual aspects to allow people see traffic coming towards them.

The bottom line is that the council needs the funding from central Government and it has not been forthcoming. The application has been made to the Department of Transport under the low cost safety improvement works on regional and local roads for 2010. I hope the Minister, in his reply, will be able to give us an undertaking that the money will be forthcoming and that no more lives will be lost needlessly and tragically at this intersection and that with the improved signage and a roundabout, these terrible tragedies will be a thing of the past.

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