Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Back in July, Kerry County Council was notified that Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, is undertaking a review of the planned expenditure for 2024 against the overall budget for national roads, active travel schemes and greenways. Pending completion of this review, it requested that the council not proceed to tender on four projects. This money was allocated to County Kerry. However, in its infinite wisdom the Government has said that the N72 Killallee-Fossa pavement scheme costing €350,000 is to be shelved - parked; the N70 Creamery Cross to Kenneigh phase 2 pavement scheme costing €800,000 - in case the Minister does not know where it is, it is outside Waterville on the road to Cahersiveen - has been shelved - parked; the N71 Kenmare to Bonane phase 2 pavement scheme costing €750,000 - in case the Minister does not know where it is, when you leave Kenmare, the road goes up by Bonane and on towards Glengarriff - has been shelved - parked; and the N72 Lackabaun - in case he does not know where that is, he will have heard of Liebherr Cranes, which is located there - pavement scheme costing €240,000 has been shelved - parked. Overall, the roads budget for 2024 - in case people do not realise this - was cut by €200 million. Will the Government commit to restoring this funding? At a time when it is almost in the position of having to pike money out of the way in different Departments because it is coming their way, I ask the Government to spend the money on roads.

I do not want to cause an argument about cycle lanes or anything of that nature. However, I will give an example. Some €1.2 million was spent on the Rock Road in Killarney. The Minister knows where Killarney is. I could count on one hand the number of cyclists using that cycleway. It cost €1.2 million. No one looked for it but they got it because it is a cycleway. We want a bypass for Killarney. We have money to acquire the land and move the project on, but have we the money to build the road? No. Have we money for the people in Bonane? No. Have we money for the people at Creamery Cross in Kinneigh? No. Have we money for Lackabaun? No. What in the name of God does the Government have against motorists? Does it really despise them that much? The Minister will know how much tax accrues every time a person spends €10 on petrol or diesel. The Government needs to realise that people have to drive around in cars. We cannot all cycle everywhere. Try telling the people in Bonane today that they must cycle to Killarney, Kenmare, Sneem or wherever they work. Tell them they have to get on a bicycle. The Minister would not face it on a bicycle. I know I could not face it on a bicycle. In the honour of God and all that is holy, will the Government please restore the funding, give up the blackguarding it has engaged in and give us back our money? Kerry County Council, Frank Hartnett, our excellent director of services, our excellent roads staff and the private contractors are all ready and waiting. All we need is the money. I am not asking for it; I am pleading with the Minister in an earnest and sincere way.

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