Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise two matters regarding the lack of infrastructure in Kerry.

On the N70 road to the west of Blackwater Bridge, on the Kenmare to Sneem road, there is a 4 km section between Foley’s Bend and the west of Tahilla Church where two large vehicles cannot pass when they meet each other. It is not safe. A lorry or bus and one car cannot pass each other but have to reverse. Can one imagine that on a busy national secondary road? An EIS, environmental impact statement, design and CPO, compulsory purchase order, process is being progressed. Improvement works will cost between €8 million and €10 million, depending on what the tenders come in at. Will the Taoiseach and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Griffin, ensure funding is made available for this section?

There is also another section of a kilometre just west of Blackwater Bridge. No design has been progressed on this yet but this is dangerous. I know it myself. If an articulated lorry passes a car on this part of the road, the car will pass the cab fine but will be caught between the trailer and the ditch. If the car cannot stop, it is stuck in the lorry or the ditch. That improvement would cost between €2 million and €2.5 million. Will the Government make that funding available?

The R551, between Ardfert and Ballyheigue, often gets flooded when there is a high tide and heavy rain. Approximately 200 m of this road becomes impassable with a mix of salt and clear water. We are looking for a specific improvement grant or funding to be made available to raise the road by 200 m to ensure the people of Ballyheigue and other road users can get in and out of the village.

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