Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has raised this issue on several occasions and he has been right to do so. I know the road well. I am familiar with some parts of the Deputy's constituency. As Deputy Daly knows only too well, I often visit Gorteen in Bantry. The NRA has responsibility. However, I take on board the Deputy's well-made point on the prioritisation of projects and the role of the NRA vis-à-vis the Department. Deputy Daly's point is absolutely right in respect of the changes that have had to be made from a taxation point of view. Taxpayers get frustrated, something I know only too well in respect of Tipperary. I will raise the issue with the NRA. However, in the short term, as Deputy Daly is aware, there will be no solution. However, there will be a capital programme in the years to come. Who knows what the position of road projects will be and, if there are to be roads projects, how they will be prioritised. I will refer all these matters to the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, who has responsibility for the roads programme.

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