John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Again, the reason for raising this issue is not because it has just arisen. This is an issue that has gone on since 1995, right through the course of the design and building of the road in question. It is so dangerous that, as I said, 500 people attended the meeting that was held. I am asking the Minister whether he will come and examine that stretch of roadway. In a contribution made earlier by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, in respect of a parliamentary question, she said that she indicates her priorities to Tusla. I am asking the Minister, Deputy Ross, in the context of his priorities, which are safety on our roads and representation for local communities, whether he will agree to say to Transport Infrastructure Ireland that he wants the funds allocated to this project.

Before he does that, will he come to visit the stretch of roadway involved so he can see for himself the plight of the local community and the desperate need for the road to be redesigned? It is not good enough to have an analysis or a report. We know what has happened. The Minister should listen to the local community and respond to it by ensuring that safety is restored by investment in the road. These are local people who use the road every day going to school or to work in Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir, as well as others who use it by way of connection along the route.

The money was there for an overpass and it was emphasised at the meeting to which I refer that had that money been spent when it was allocated in 2012, it would have relieved some of the issues. Two overpasses are needed. A new, modern, safe approach to the design of that road would eliminate the issues confronting this local community and people in the surrounding areas once and for all.

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