Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

They way in which they go about this work is entirely up to the local authorities. The grants we give are to supplement the local authority grants. The local authorities should make the best possible use of the money, whatever that may be. I do not intend to start micro-managing them. There is a need to focus on the damaged roads which must be improved and which are important for economic activity and so on.

Part of the reason why roads money has been reduced during the past couple of years is because of the economic circumstances in which we find ourselves. A lesser national cake means a lesser portion of it for transport. Notwithstanding that, local authorities must look within their resources to prioritise. From the point of view of road safety and economic activity, road services are and should be priorities for the local authorities this year. I call on them to try to ensure they maintain or increase the amount of money available for roads work this year.

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