Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for selecting this important item on the Adjournment. In recent weeks, much media attention and Government time was taken up by the difficult situations that the latter needed to deal with in the major crisis areas of Galway, Clare, Limerick, the west and even parts of my constituency. Lost in all of this were the many small projects with which local councils had difficulties, namely, flooding on small country roads. I am referring to a small amount of attention in terms of laying a pipe, dredging or patching. The Minister of State well knows what I have in mind. At places like Lagganstown, Golden, Knockavilla, Dualla and Ardfinnan in the Care rural area, the Clonmel rural area, Fethard, Carrick-on-Suir and west Tipperary, several roads were blocked by ponds. Cars found the going difficult because of the resting water. Urgent action is required. I visited the sites with council engineers. I have been in contact with other engineers. The answer I get each time from members and staff of South Tipperary County Council is that the job needs to be done.

I ask the Minister of State and his Government colleagues, including the Minister for Transport, to make funding available for such schemes. I suggest that a block grant of some description could be provided. I am sure money can be found in some Department to help these people. As it is early December, we have a long winter ahead of us. Local authorities have the manpower to do these small jobs but they have no money. I ask the Government to make an allocation to every local authority in the country. There is a list in every local authority. I wish to be helpful by saying that the full co-operation of Members is not in doubt. The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, has the ear of the Minister, Deputy Gormley. He has seen at first hand the problems I have mentioned which need to be dealt with. I respectfully ask the Minister of State to ensure funding is made available to the local authorities in question. He might not be able to respond to that request tonight but he can do so in the weeks ahead.

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