Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy went over time by approximately one minute. I know that the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is watching these proceedings and taking careful note of the points he made. If ever there was an example of the inadequacy, as referred to at European Council meetings, of people not listening, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has demonstrated today that he is listening. Perhaps the Deputy should call in the family. The issues raised by him are maters for the local authorities. Kerry County Council held its budget meeting on 14 November last, at which the budget for 2017 was fixed. Deputy Healy-Rae will be aware that Kerry County Council will receive a local property tax allocation of almost €14 million in 2017 from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

It is a matter for each local authority and, therefore, the members to determine their own spending priorities as part of that budgetary process. The roundabouts, bypasses, slip roads and other projects have to be considered by the members of the local authority. I know that the Deputy knows a few of those very well indeed. They have direct responsibility. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is responsible for the general legislation in regard to traffic matters, and that Department has published its general guidance documents. These have been taken into account in respect of Killarney.

Killarney is facing competition because National Geographichas pointed out recently that, in its opinion, Donegal is now the coolest place in the world. At long last, the north west and Donegal have come to the fore to challenge the might of Kerry. We have had that on many fields, as Deputy Michael Healy-Rae knows.

The proposals in the study on new link roads and the regional and local roads are also the statutory responsibility of the county council, in accordance with section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. The Deputy has raised the point in the national Parliament and I respect his absolute right to do that but the responsibility here rests with the members of the local authority. I am sure that the traders and people in Killarney, which is such a magnificent town, will respond to their decisions on these matters.

See this speech in context