Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I refer the Taoiseach to page 44 of the programme for Government, which deals with connectivity between villages and refers to rural roads. The reason I raise the matter is that the Coughlanstown Road, the L6048, at Ballymore Eustace has been closed for the past 11 months due to subsidence. The impact on residents in the area has been incredible. Although many of them only live half a mile from the village they have to travel a detour on bad, narrow roads of nine miles. That also has a huge impact on business. The reason I raise the matter here is that Arup drew up a report that shows the cost of restoring this vital artery would be €3.5 million at a minimum. That would amount to 25% of Kildare County Council's annual fund for roads. The council is responsible for 2,528 km of road in the county. It is essential that national funding be provided. I have spoken to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, on the issue but we need the Taoiseach's support.

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