Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy raising this important issue. In the first instance, it is important this Government fulfils its commitments to communities under the national development plan, and that means making tangible progress on a number of roads projects, including the N4 upgrade for the people of Westmeath and Longford. The profile of spending varies through the year but it is important we do not have an underspend when it comes to the roads budget. That is why this is getting careful examination within the Department of Transport and across Government because it is important that we continue to make progress. As the Minister of State who chairs the committee relating to road safety, I am concerned about some of the road safety issues on that road and on other roads that need progress from a capital perspective. I will work with Deputy Troy and with colleagues to try to make progress on that and on other important roads projects during this year.

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