Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on the motion. I thank my colleagues in the Fianna Fáil party for bringing forward the motion. The motor way infrastructure in Ireland at the moment is excellent. Every week I travel along the M8 and M7 towards Dublin. However, the road network in my constituency of Cork South-West has not experienced similar investment.

The programme for partnership Government vowed not only to increase funding on the road network throughout the county by approximately 50% but to spread the apparent economic recovery beyond the M50 through the creation of jobs in all parts of Ireland as well. To achieve this objective, we must have a decent road network to connect west Cork to the main markets throughout the country. We have seen extraordinary underspend in west Cork from the current and previous Governments. If west Cork roads are to be brought up to any standard, it is estimated that the cost could be up to €500 million. Funding was made available some weeks ago by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, but it was only 10% of what is required. Deputies and councillors are besieged by requests from the taxpaying public. I pity local area engineers because they are under immense pressure. They are trying in vain to find funds to repair our depleted roads.

Many people ask whether sand is going into potholes because as soon as the potholes are filled, they are back open again and cars are being damaged. The Southern Starnewspaper ran a report last week or two weeks ago. The newspaper reported that €26,000 was spent in compensation to motorists who had their cars damaged in 2015. The figure was up to €40,000 in 2016. God only knows what the figure will be in 2017. We should remember that approximately 80% of people do not even claim at all.

There is a bypass in Bandon and it lies unfinished. Innishannon is a bottleneck. The road from Clonakilty to Skibbereen is another example. A motorist cannot pass on the N71 road. It is a completely farcical situation. Continuously, little or no money is spent on our roads. The main road from Dunmanway to Bantry has continuous white lines that prevent motorists from passing. The road from Ballydehob to Bantry would burst every shock and spring in any car in the land. The N71 road is in an appalling state. I have to travel on the other side of the road if I want to take that road safely rather than go off the road with the height of bumps and hollows and whatever.

We have reported this to the National Roads Authority in recent years. I was talking to a local workman who drove his van through the route last week. He said his tools, which were neatly in the back, were turned up all over the van afterwards. The way this is being left is criminal. There are major potholes in Leap, Drimoleague and Bandon. The roads are underfunded and I appeal to the Minister of State to turn this decision around and give money to rural communities.

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