Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I cannot believe that in these difficult and hard times a Deputy would be so innocent and foolish as to come into this Chamber and make statements like that. This is €1 million that can be found and which would make the quality of lives in rural areas much better. If roads were better this would encourage tourists into our areas. It would help people to carry their children to school and to go to work. Above all, it would save each individual taxpayer a considerable amount of money on their cars each year because bad roads lead to bad cars and higher maintenance costs. The reality is there would be €1 million available for every county council in the country. There would be many deputations to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if there were €1 million available for the coffers of county councils in any constituency.

It is fair for the Minister and his Department to introduce this legislation. It is good and fair for the taxpayer but, above all, it will be good for the roads and the local authorities in every part of Ireland.

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