Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like all of my colleagues, I reiterate the difficulties we have in rural Ireland. I hope the Minister and the Minister of State are taking this motion seriously. I hope that listening to the passionate way we have put the representations on behalf of our people - I am about to make them on behalf of my people in Roscommon Galway - will ensure that this is taken as a major and serious issue. I have on my mobile phone hundreds of pictures of roads that have been sent to me. I am going to show them to the Minister later. They show roads that are similar to those one might see in Haiti. The Minister may not believe that. I have seen pictures from Haiti and some of the roads I have gone through in south Roscommon are in a worse state. That is true. I want the same for my people in the constituency of Roscommon-Galway as the Healy-Raes get for theirs in Kerry. I want our roads looked after.

The Minister must remember that when people in rural Ireland step out of their houses, there are no footpaths or public lighting. Remember, though, when they get their planning permissions, €4,000, €5,000 or €6,000 is stopped and when they ask for a breakdown of what that money is for, they are told it is to maintain roads, public lighting or footpaths. We are not going to have public lighting or footpaths out in the middle of the country so they cannot get the money spent on the roads. I am pleading with the Minister to do better. We need more. What Deputy Troy said echoes what is being said by people all over this country, namely, that the roads are in an appalling state.

I have heard the Government boasting repeatedly that it took in €51 billion in taxes last year. Well, by God, when it is taking in that type of money, the Government should be well able to invest more in roads. I plead with the Minister. This is a huge issue. I and all other Fianna Fáil Deputies have every right to table motions and hold this Government to account. We will do that and we will make progress on this issue.

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