Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry to trouble the Taoiseach with mundane and practical matters but some city representatives and those from urban centres would not recognise or realise the huge problem we have with rural and county roads. An elected representative living in rural Ireland meets people every other day describing the shocking, appalling and atrocious conditions of these roads. People living on these roads at present are frustrated, angry and resentful because their local road network is in tatters.

This is a massive political issue. The Government does not need research, surveys or focus groups to establish the extent of the problem but, rather, should just ask county councillors in Tipperary and elsewhere who are currently embarrassed and ashamed to meet people living on such roads. People using such roads in north, mid, south and west Tipperary are incensed and furious at the neglect and abandonment of some rural roads. Council engineers and elected representatives feel helpless and hopeless because of the lack of adequate funding.

There have been several weather events such as Storms Ophelia, Eleanor and Brian and unprecedented levels of rainfall, snow and frost. The Government did an excellent job in briefing the public on such events and the message it conveyed was competent and capable in terms of getting precautionary measures across to the public. However, the follow up has been less than impressive. It was inevitable that such weather events would make an impact and have consequences such as the alarming deterioration of our roads. The more that deterioration is ignored, the worse it gets.

The CEO and executive of Tipperary County Council last week met with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, and informed him that, having conducted an evaluation and assessment, they require an additional €197 million to resolve the problems of 3,000 km of rural roads. If one looks at the allocations, the national allocation for 2008, ten years ago, was €608 million. The allocation for this year, 2018, is €417 million, a drop of €200 million. Seven years ago, Tipperary was allocated €45 million for its roads. This year, it will receive €23.3 million, less than half that amount.

An urgent, coherent and orchestrated response by the Government is needed. It is not sufficient to say there has been an increase in allocation. It is abundantly clear that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport will not be able to provide the necessary funds. An extraordinary response is required and that must be funded.

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