James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I hear what the Deputy is saying. He stated that local authorities could not get funding from the Government. I want to hear about that if it is the case. I am surprised to hear it, as there has been a significant allocation. Some €658 million was allocated in the past year, 90% of which was directed towards maintenance and renewal work. That allocation was a €32 million increase compared with the previous year. On 31 May, an additional €30 million was allocated to local authorities, which I had confirmed yesterday, to tackle damage caused by rainfall over the winter and spring periods.

It is sometimes suggested that spending money on maintaining local roads is at odds with climate policy, but the opposite is the case. The damage done to local roads is a direct result of climate change. They are deteriorating so rapidly because we now have so many winter storms and so many periods of freezing and thawing. Maintenance of local roads damaged by climate change is consistent with policy.

The Deputy discussed enforcement, which is a matter for the Commissioner. I note the Deputy’s comments. The Commissioner has instructed all uniformed personnel to put in a 30-minute roads policing shift at minimum. We are seeing higher levels of enforcement already. I am certainly noticing it as I go about my business, and I am sure others are, too.

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