Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy McEntee for his congratulations and comments on the road safety award. I received it on behalf of everyone involved in road safety. I thank Deputy McEntee, his party and other parties in the House, who have a share in this award. It is important to say that and that was why I thought it was important to go and receive the award on behalf of the people of Ireland. Everyone played a part in this - the Deputies opposite, the RSA, the Garda Síochána, officials at the Department of Transport and drivers on the roads who have changed their behaviour significantly. I acknowledge that on their behalf.

I will always seek more money if there is any hope of getting it. I always ask the Minister for Finance for funds. Unfortunately, we are in a financial situation that means there is no extra money rolling around in the State coffers. The €25 million to which the Deputy referred was not a request but an estimate of the amount of damage done to national roads. The NRA provided that estimate of damage. Local authorities were also asked to provide estimates and submitted estimates of €180 million in damage between the floods and the severe weather. An additional €9 million was estimated for gritting during that long period. From the sum of €411 million, I allocated €240 million to local authorities to use specifically for the improvement of those roads. The Deputy has acknowledged that local authorities have done a good job so far in getting to repair the roads. I accept Deputy McEntee's point that some roads are still causing difficulties but these must be repaired from the resources of the local authority or from the allocation provided. There is no point in holding back in the hope of getting more money because I cannot see myself getting any more money for that purpose during the course of this year.

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