Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Mattie McGrath said, the invitation to the Minister to meet the people in the area is still open. People in this area will not let go of this issue. Last Saturday week, they stopped the road for two hours. That was not done lightly as we are peaceful people in Kilkenny. We tend not to block roads unless there is a reason for it.

It is welcome that signage and lining will be addressed but that will not save lives. This is a more serious problem with a small stretch of road with nine junctions off it and a two-plus-one layout. It is completely confusing. Any tourists who have passed this road have said they cannot understand how the road was designed. It was a bad design from the word go and the whole system was wrong.

The overbridge with relief roads on each side to take out the two junctions where most of these 15 deaths occurred is the long-term answer. I am delighted some funding has been allocated and the Minister reminded TII that this is a priority.

Life is the most important thing of all. I know there is a priority where road safety is involved. This is one of these cases where life is at risk which has been proved by the statistics to date. Road safety and saving lives is most important, a point which must be emphasised to TII. An overpass is needed for a satisfactory outcome. Paint and lining will not save lives. It may help but it is an overbridge that is needed until the new road from Limerick to Waterford is done in 15 years’ time.

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