Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to Deputy Lowry, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is well aware of the issues the Deputy has outlined and will consider them in the context of the budget. I will bring to his attention once again the points the Deputy has made today. Clearly, as people begin to see the kind of investment that now is possible because of the recovery, they will not - as the Deputy described - feel abandoned. They will see improvements in their local and national roads and the Government is committed to an increase in funding in 2017, 2018, 2019 and onwards. Hopefully, as the economic situation improves, it is an area for critical investment. I make the point that as Members are aware, last winter's flooding caused great damage and an additional €106 million was allocated nationwide to deal with the additional damage done. Clearly however, more is needed, as I have acknowledged and in respect of capital infrastructure, the Government has begun the allocations precisely to deal with the problems the Deputy has outlined. I also remind the Deputy there will be a review of the capital plan next year. I certainly have no doubt but that the Minister will consider the points the Deputy made in the context of this year's budget.

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