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

It is really shocking to see the increase the number of road fatalities in the past year. Given so many years of progress to see such an increase this year is really shocking. I know the condolences of the House will be extended to all the families and communities affected. The quality of our roads forms part of road safety but it is not the only part. Driver behaviour is much more significant as is enforcement and other such matters. We should not lose sight of what the major factors are. Regarding funding for road maintenance and restoration, local authorities have a number of sources of funding which they can put towards road maintenance. That includes direct grants from Government, the proceeds of the property tax, commercial rates and other charges like development levies. Local authorities have a reasonable degree of discretion as to how much they spend on their roads. I agree that the grants from Government should be increased in the forthcoming budget but we need to decide how much we can afford to do within the context of the 6.2% spending rule.

See this speech in context