Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is correct; it is the statutory responsibility of local authorities to maintain roads. I do not know whether the Minister was a member of a local authority in the past, but from my experience when local authorities are allocated money it is well spent and roads are kept in a good condition. Over the past four years, 47% less than what was required was allocated to various roads.

To put the reduction in context, in 2015, €400 million that was paid in motor tax was spent on the establishment of Irish Water, and a payment of €439 million in road tax is due to go to Irish Water in 2016. It is no wonder people are annoyed at the condition of the roads. It is not just me: my colleague Deputy Michael McGrath has also tabled a question on road projects. I met with a delegation of councillors from Monaghan who were infuriated with the condition of the roads. It is not good enough to say it is the statutory responsibility of the local authorities. They will carry out their work in an appropriate manner if they are given the necessary resources to do so.

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