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

I listened with interest to and take on board the Deputy's comments. I am not sure it is entirely fair to suggest that local authorities are saying they cannot get works done. A staggered approach is taken and it is not just a case of being given the money and tar to fix a road. Rather, what is the collision data, what are the risks and what is the opinion of the local engineer, who is closest to the ground? Are there planning reasons for the issue? Are there other junctions? These works should entail a degree of due diligence. Although it is taxpayers’ money, I do not just mean financial due diligence. These projects also have to be analysed from the perspective of road safety. Often, the money for them is released on a staggered basis to deal with the costing, the scoping exercise, the plan and then the implementation.

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