Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The responsibility for local and county roads is a matter for the local authority, within its resources. The primary source of resources for gritting local and regional roads should be the local authorities but, unfortunately, it is not, as the taxpayer is the central source. However, the local authorities are the bodies which advise the NRA on the actual routes that are to be gritted, and this information is put into a national database. I agree with the Deputy that the county councils should consider this issue.

We have had two very severe experiences inside a 12 to14 month period. As in Dublin, where there was a difficulty with buses and other vehicles on certain streets, the local authorities now know, if they did not know before, that there are particular difficulties in some areas. I agree with the Deputy that they should examine local arrangements to ensure there is some supply of salt or otherwise close to such locations, and this might mean enlisting the help of a local farmer on a hill or close to an area that can become dangerous. I know the Deputy favours this as I have heard him speak of it previously, and it is something I have fed into the review process. It would be a helpful development.

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