Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

They are assisting the Minister in his efforts to lobby for a greater slice of the budget. Members received a small history lesson from the Minister on the difficulty he faces based on who caused all the problems. He then suggested that somehow the county councils should provide more money. Never having served on a county council but having a keen understanding of what goes on there, I remind the Minister they are under significant pressure. Their other income streams are severely curtailed, including development levies, which would have provided them with moneys in the past. Similarly, they are finding it very difficult to collect rates and there have been significant reductions to the block grant. Consequently, it is disingenuous to somehow suggest it is a devolved responsibility the local authority should find the methodology to resolve.

The Minister must fight his case much more vociferously when it comes to the next round of Estimates. I also suggest that Ireland is in a different financial position in light of the Government's negotiation with the ECB. The Government has trumpeted the fact that an additional €1 billion is available this year. The Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, can confirm the Tánaiste was clear yesterday when he indicated the deal that was done of course would have an impact on budgetary measures. I argue that an appropriate and sufficient road network is an integral part of the recovery of the State. As the Minister is aware, it has a stimulus effect in the construction sector through the provision and creation of jobs but more particularly in the continued effort to make roads and the driving and passage thereon more safe. There has been a blip in this regard in recent days and weeks and while I do not wish to characterise this in any way as having been as a result of changes in road patterns or profiles, it reminds Members of the necessity for a continuous focus on road safety.

See this speech in context