Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I repeat that the grants that were available towards regional and local roads in 2007 of just over €600 million have been reduced to €350 million. In times of severe economic challenge, one must prioritise what one feels is the best use of those scarce resources.

The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, and I would argue that the best use at this point in time is to maintain to an acceptable level the very long network of roads we have throughout this country. I recall reading that we may have the most kilometres of road per capitain the whole of Europe. That places a significant burden both on local authorities and the Exchequer to maintain the extensive network.

This is the decision taken at this point, although I am hopeful that as we emerge from our economic difficulties, we will once again be able to fund projects such as this. It would be equally as important for Laois County Council to work as best it can with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to determine which infrastructural improvements would be a priority, and as the Deputy suggests, perhaps this road could be towards the top of those priorities. When the decision ultimately comes as to what will be funded in future, the local authority will have a major role to play in determining the priorities for its functional area.

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