Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

What I presented to the Deputy is the best, latest information I have from TII. I have every intention of trying to deliver and improve the bypass options in west Cork.

On the reality of where we are with funding, the Deputy says €4 million is nothing. We are spending €1.2 billion to €1.3 billion per year just to maintain our roads. Thus of the €2.5 billion or so this year, roughly half is going to maintain the existing road network, which is important. If we did not do that the Deputy would rightly be telling me that it is dangerous, that people's vehicles are being damaged and that that work must be done. It is not a small amount. It is huge within our overall capital budget and it must be spent because if it was not we would have to spend more in subsequent years. Out of this year's budget, if roughly half is effectively going to maintenance, the remainder must go on public transport. We must invest in that and in active travel. We are limited as there are certain budget constraints we must recognise and admit. We are giving significant moneys to the transport sector but it must be spread across the country. That is a reality that cannot be ignored.

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