Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. That is what I am trying to do - to provide that guidance. Suffice it to say that the condition of the road as it stands is sufficiently serious for the local authority - or whoever else wishes to take responsibility - to take some action of a nature that will render the road compliant with health and safety regulations. That is a requirement regardless of who does it. I raise this matter on the basis, first of all, of unusually heavy traffic, which has been established, and that the road, to be fair, on both ends is in good condition, even though part of that is rampart road as well. The local authorities long ago achieved a measure of dealing with rampart roads by reinforcing the tarmac, steel, mesh reinforcing or whatever the case may be, so it works very well. The local authority is very familiar with this. It can do it. I ask at this stage that whoever can do it, whoever has to put their finger on the button to start it, start now, if possible, because we cannot wait for an accident. We cannot wait and know that a road is substandard and does not comply with health and safety regulations. If we did not know about it, it would not be too bad, but I travelled across it the other evening and it was appalling. I know I have a bad back, but it is not that bad. It was nearly broken when I got to the end of the road.

I thank the Minister of State for the reply and the Ceann Comhairle for allowing the debate to take place. I ask that whoever wishes to take responsibility for this do it now before it is too late.

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