Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

I welcome the opportunity to raise this issue. Last Monday night, I attended a meeting in the Devon Inn Hotel in Templeglantine which was attended by more than 200 local people. The meeting was in response to a number of fatalities that have occurred on the stretch of road down the hill at Barna. Only two weeks ago, a young 20 year old student, Liva Eglite, was killed on the road and in September three local men who were travelling in a taxi were also killed. Another person was killed since May this year, which comprises five fatalities on this stretch of road.

With regard to the alignment of the road, it is over 21 years since a section of the road which goes down the hill was upgraded. The road led into a bridge and the bridge was removed. There is now a double lane of traffic going up and down the hill. However, it leads into a bottleneck and it is at this section that all these fatalities occurred. There is grave concern about the safety of the N21 at Barna. The public meeting highlighted that concern and the fears of local people with regard to the lack of activity and commitment to addressing that safety hazard.

Representatives of the National Roads Authority, NRA, and Limerick County Council were invited to the meeting but did not attend. These public servants did not attend to answer the public's concerns. I corresponded by e-mail with the National Roads Authority about this. The reply I received thanked me for the invitation but respectfully informed me that its representatives would not be attending my meeting. In fact, the meeting was arranged by the general public and I was asked to attend, like every other public representative in the area.

I understand Limerick County Council has submitted a plan for a re-alignment scheme for the road to the NRA. I call on the NRA to ensure this is made a priority. I also ask the Minister to use his influence to ensure the proposals are acted on before any more deaths or serious injuries occur on that road. The NRA has responded to the council's proposal by stating that it will only be considered as part of works to be carried out in 2011 and that it would be subject to the overall budgetary constraints under which the authority must operate.

While I am fully aware of the budgetary situation we face, this issue must be a priority. It is a matter of life and death and has caused terrible tragedies for families both from the area and outside it. I do not say that lightly, but in the interests of safety. The re-alignment and upgrade of this stretch of road must be made a priority. Otherwise, we will be discussing this again in 12 months with more fatalities having occurred. That road has claimed lives each year. The local law abiding, decent people were so concerned that they have initiated a public campaign about it. I hope the Minister will give it the attention and concern it deserves and that the NRA will respond to the political direction of the Minister and the Government.

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