Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again for raising the issue. I will take it up with the Minister for Transport and TII. Blanket bans on national secondary roads are too extreme. I am a former Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. National roads are variable. Some are big dual carriageways. Others are quite small and would be classed as regional roads in other countries. Blanket banks are too extreme. I agree that where there is an existing entrance rather than a new one, it should be treated a bit differently for the reasons that the Deputy outlines, namely, that those traffic movements would probably be happening anyway. That is why I think a pragmatic case-by-case approach should be taken rather than a blanket ban. As I say, I am not across the details of the particular road to which the Deputy referred. I will talk to Deputy Griffin about the matter and, as already stated, I will raise it with the Minister for Transport and TII.

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