Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

They deserve a proper quality road. They might live on a private road, but they are paying VRT, VAT and every tax in the world just like everyone else.

There should be a properly funded scheme. We were given an assurance in the programme for Government that an adequately funded LIS would be launched in 2017. The Government cannot make promises that it will not keep. It has to honour its word. This promise was written down in black and white. It is not good enough to tell county councillors that they are the ones who must decide whether to spend money on their regional roads or the LIS. That is not how it used to work previously. In the past, there was a special fund for the roads in question. Of course we want it in County Kerry, but I appreciate that every Deputy present wants it, and should have it, for his or her county as well. The LIS is of major importance.

There is a lack of drainage on our roads. They are not being drained properly because local authorities are not allowed to place workers who have retired or, unfortunately, died. The roads workforce is dwindling. There are plenty of young people who would adore the opportunity to work for their local authorities. They would be proud to do so, but they cannot because they are not being hired. That is wrong.

Other Deputies have criticised the Minister, Deputy Ross, in recent days for not visiting his own Department in Killarney, County Kerry. I will not do likewise because I know that, although it was his genuine aim to do so before Christmas, events took a hold of him and he was not able to visit. However, he will accept the invitation that I issued to him many months ago. He was to visit the county to view a number of serious issues. I am glad that he has put on the record of the House tonight that he will visit County Kerry and his Department there and that he will examine the dangerous situation caused by our roads. I thank him in advance for his trip to County Kerry and I will be the first there to welcome him.

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