Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to raise this issue by way of Topical Issue debate. While the meaning of the word "topical" means "current" this matter has been, regrettably, ongoing since the 1990s and even prior to then. During the time of the boom and the so-called Celtic tiger when up to €13 billion was invested in road upgrade works throughout the country west Cork was, for some reason, left behind. I am raising this issue today to ensure focus of it on the agenda and to ensure it is addressed.

In 2008, I was chairman of the western committee of Cork County Council and led a delegation of my colleagues at the time to the National Roads Authority offices where we sought assurances from the NRA that it would prioritise the upgrade of the N71. However, the Ireland of 2008 was very different from the Ireland of today. Unfortunately, west Cork remains in the same position with little or no investment in the N71 project. The survival of west Cork into the future is dependent on investment. While job numbers in Cork are increasing, many of the jobs being created there are located in Cork city. To ensure a vibrant future for west Cork, business must be able to grow and create jobs. To ensure this, west Cork must be accessible. Unfortunately, the rail line in the area was closed many decades ago, access by sea was closed off following the closure of part of the Cork-Swansea route and airport numbers have been stagnant or reducing over the past ten years. The only access to west Cork is via the N71. It is the only road into and out of west Cork.

I want the Government to make the upgrade of the N71 a political priority so as to ensure the survival and future of west Cork. I expect that the Minister of State, Deputy Kelly, will in his response cite section 19 of the Roads Act and the changes thereto which transferred to the NRA the function of decision making in regard to road upgrade works.

Will the Minister of State clarify what role we have as elected representatives when it comes to ensuring what constitutes a priority for the National Roads Authority? I am aware of the standard answers I have been getting from the Minister heretofore in respect of what input we can have, but I am keen for some further clarity. As elected Members we decide what taxes are to be collected. Then we go out and stand over the unpopular decisions like property taxes and so on. I am keen for more accountability from the State agencies which are spending this money. We should have more of an input into the priorities afforded by these moneys.

Will the Minister of State clarify why, over the 2000 to 2009 period, the NRA spent €13 billion? This was the subject of a Private Members' motion in November 2009 moved by Deputy Fergus O'Dowd calling for more accountability from the NRA. During this period of vast investment, why was west Cork not on the radar of the authority? The last serious investment in west Cork began in 1998 when 1.1 km of single carriageway was built around the town of Skibbereen. Since then there has been absolutely zero investment other than for maintenance on the N71, but no effort whatsoever has been made to upgrade it. I call on the Minister of State to get clarity on why there was no investment in the N71 during that period.

Will the Minister of State give me an understanding and an undertaking that, at the least, the upgrade of the N71 in west Cork will be a political priority? Regrettably, previous Administrations chose, for whatever reason, not to have the upgrade of the N71 as a political priority. I could take great comfort if the Minister of State would give an assurance that it will become a political priority for this Administration.

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