Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCeann Comhairle. Ar an gcéad dul síos ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le gach éinne a chabhraigh liom le linn an feachtas toghacháin ag deireadh na bliana as ucht na slite a bhíodar páirteach ann, idir mo chairde agus mo theaghlach ach go háirithe. Míle buíochas leo. Is mór an onóir a bheith anseo mar Theachta thar ceann mhuintir Chorcaigh thiar thuaidh. I thank the voters of Cork North-West for supporting me in the recent election. I have the huge honour and privilege of being sent here on their behalf and I want to raise their issues regarding road safety. I also thank the members of my campaign team, whether they were putting up posters or were drivers or back office staff. In particular, I thank my family for their significant work and for putting up with me during that time. I wish to give a quick shout-out to the Clann Droichead girls as we had agreed on polling day in Macroom. Comhgháirdeas leis an Aire as a ról nua agus a bheith ainmnithe. I congratulate the Minister of State.

I will focus on a number of road safety issues of particular concern to my constituents in Cork North-West. The Cork to Limerick road is one issue. The N20 is dangerous and there is a need to advance a safer route between those two population centres. The loss of life and injury on the existing road need to be tackled and a new, safer option made available.

The N22 is a significant issue for us from a safety point of view. Great progress has been made on the western side of it, with a bypass built for Ballyvourney and Macroom. It has made the road much safer. To the east of that is the section between Macroom and Ballincollig. Over 30,000 vehicles use that eastern section each day and it is becoming more and more difficult for drivers. There are multiple right-turning junctions, many of which do not even have the protection of traffic islands, and they are making it very difficult for locals. While it is a national road delivering traffic from Tralee to Cork, for so many communities, it is also a local road. People in Canovee, Kilmurry, Crookstown, Cloughduv, Aherla, Farran, Dripsey, Coachford and Ovens are crisscrossing this road multiple times a day and for many of them, it is very dangerous. Those right-turning junctions need to be addressed. There is a significant flow of traffic coming up on to it from west Cork on the R585. For them to be able to safely access the N22, there is a need for safer access at Castlemore. I understand the Minister, the Minister of State and the Department are doing a lot of work to advance funding to make that junction safer.

I do not think anybody could dispute that lower speeds would lead to safer roads but one size does not fit all. There are so many sections of road where the speed limits are inappropriate. Regarding the new roll-out, I understand that there will be a follow-up with the local authorities changing speed limits but that really needs to come on much more quickly so that people can travel at a safe speed and speed and speed limits would not come into disrepute. Long sections of the road I mentioned - the R585 - could well take traffic at more than the 60 km/h limit that would be recommended for it.

That needs to be addressed. That there would be a one-size-fits-all approach is a cause of concern for many people.

The condition of the roads is a massive contributing factor to road safety. Councils need to make sure that potholes are repaired and road surfaces are appropriate. Hedge cutting is also important so that pedestrians can stand in safely and there is good visibility for all road users. There are many other aspects to the issue that I want to put forward but I will catch up with the Minister of State another time.

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