Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was reared in a lane that is nearly a mile long. I know all about these lanes, and I have to say that nobody has been more committed to providing LIS funding than me. At the end of each year, if I had any extra money I lorried it into the LIS because I know how important the latter is to support people who live in rural Ireland. Since 2017, €170 million has been invested in the LIS.

A few questions were raised. Basically, the new rules mean there must be one farm or one house. I do know where the issue of the hectare, which Deputy Troy raised, comes in there. I will have to check that and come back to him. Regarding the issue of the a landowner who will not sign up, I honestly do not know what I can do. Maybe the officials in the local authority should speak to my officials to see if we can do something about that. With the new criteria, does he have to give permission? I do not know. It is a specific case.

Regarding Clare, which Deputies Crowe and Wynne raised, the council should spend this money. It has its allocation. When that is spent, I ask that the council come back to me. If I have any extra money, I assure the Deputies I will put it into the LIS. However, I want to give a bit of certainty by rolling it out over the two years. The Deputies and I know that local authorities love that. When it comes to doing the roads, there is a big panic at the end of the year because the weather might not be the right. Yet, they now know what they have. If more is needed and if any money is left over at the end of the year, I will allocate it to the LIS. I will keep it under review over the year because I know how important this scheme is and I am happy to support it in every way I can.

In reply to Deputy Griffin, I do not understand why Kerry cannot do as many roads as Mayo. I suggest that the officials in Kerry County Council give their counterparts in Mayo a call because it seems to me that they cannot do as many roads. I was speaking with a county manager at one stage. That person referred to using recycled tar - I am referring to the scrapings that come off the roads - to bring down the cost, and this could be used in the context of the LIS. I do not know if that is being done by any of the local authorities, but we should be looking at those types of ideas because we might get more lanes completed.

I could paper the walls with the letters I receive and send. I have sent a right number letters to the Minister for Transport. If he matched my money, we would be flying and would get rid of all the lists.

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