Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind Sinn Féin that the confidence and supply agreement we signed up to was to provide stable Government for this country. In signing it, we ensured that there was a reversal of the Fine Gael policy and a two-to-one split of additional funding to invest in services and infrastructure. Deputy Munster and the Government know that we cannot veto every decision or announcement that is made.

I overheard the two Ministers talking. They were taking solace in the fact that Sinn Féin was critical of Fianna Fáil. They agreed with Sinn Féin. However, they did that because they know they are failing in their own responsibilities and their own duties. They are taking solace from a party that refuses to take its seats in Westminster at a time when it could have huge influence on the future of Brexit. They take solace from a party that has been involved in a stalemate in Northern Ireland for the past 12 months. The only funding that comes out of Northern Ireland is that which pays the expenses of MLAs in respect of work they are not doing. The Minister is happy to cosy up to Sinn Fein because he knows that we on this side of the House are relentless in our opposition. We hold him to account for his inadequacies and his failings in his role as the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for the past two years.

Like his colleagues in government, the Minister has visited many constituencies. However, they have all failed to follow up after their visits. I acknowledged there was an increase in funding this year. What the Minister has failed to acknowledge is that he was not able to secure the increase that he signed off on in A Programme for a Partnership Government. It was the Minister who signed off on a 50% increase and it he who failed to deliver on that. It is because of the motion before us that he will have to come in and be answerable to this House every six months in respect of how he is going to address the deficiencies relating to our roads.

It is interesting to note that none of his Fine Gael colleagues are present. They are never at the Minister's side during any debate. I ask him to be as forceful in his negotiations in respect of provision for roads as he was for the reopening of Stepaside Garda station and in how judges are appointed to the Bench. We are not exaggerating the problems facing Ireland. It is not just rural Ireland. Regional roads and local roads are in our cities and rural areas. The Minister needs to accelerate funding. It will be more efficient in the long term. It is critical for balanced regional development. We need to ensure that water is properly drained off our roads and that hedgerows are cut back. We need to ensure that the money allocated is spent efficiently and that we are getting value for money.

I am glad the Minister is accepting this report but we will be keeping an eye on him every six months to ensure that he delivers when he says he is going to deliver. There is one thing for sure. The time for announcements and spin is over. If the Minister fails to deliver, the time for this Government will be over because we will pull the plug.

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