Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

In the second budget in April of last year the Minister cut the allocation for the restoration programme for local and regional roads by €80 million. That was a savage cut. Is it not a fact that in the recent budget the Minister cut his allocation again by €325 million? He is very close to over €425 million or €430 million in cuts in funding for roads which are falling apart throughout the country. Does the Minister believe that is an acceptable amount of money, given the massive problems cause by the recent inclement and disastrous weather which has destroyed many roads in the Minister's constituency and mine, and many others throughout the country?

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