Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

I express my gratitude to those who helped to keep roads open throughout the crisis in County Clare. I refer to Mr. Tom Tiernan, who is the senior engineer in Clare County Council, his engineering staff, the outdoor staff and those who drove the gritting trucks. I pay tribute to the voluntary efforts of communities throughout County Clare. Many people played their part and put their shoulder to the wheel. Such leadership and involvement was sadly lacking from the Government, however. When the Minister, Deputy Gormley, eventually commented on the issue, he practically laughed at people. The reality is that road maintenance grants were cut by 10% in last month's budget. Those cuts followed the €7 million cut that Clare County Council experienced in 2009. The council simply does not have the money to return the county's roads to the required and proper standard.

I have listened to the statements made by the Minister, Deputy Gormley, and his colleague, the Minister for Transport. It is unacceptable that they have said they will not fund local authorities. Money will have to be forthcoming. The Ministers cannot pretend that this did not happen. Roads are being left in a very dangerous condition. I travelled on many roads in County Clare over the weekend. The road from Ennistymon to Kilfenora is falling apart. The road from Broadford to Limerick is in a terrible condition, as is the road between Sixmilebridge and Newmarket-on-Fergus and other roads in the Clarecastle, Mountshannon and Whitegate districts. This is a road safety issue. I was encouraged by the reply to a parliamentary question that I received today, in which the Minister said he is looking for an audit of roads from local authorities. I ask the Government to come up with the goods if such an audit is presented. This is a road safety issue.

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