Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)

Part of the N25, in particular the stretch out past the Rhu Glenn, can be described in no other terms than a deadly accident black spot. Over the past number of years, there have been several fatal road accidents along this road. The road traffic report clearly states that the road has completely exceeded the safe number of vehicles. It has a 360% increase in road users. The community has repeatedly sought road traffic safety measures. In February, following the death of a local woman on the road, her family again appealed for urgent safety measures to be put in place. I raised these requests with the Minister. I raised them with the council. I raised them with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. While the concerns were acknowledged, no timeline for improvements was given. There was just talk of carrying out reviews of the road, again with no timeline for completion. In February, I warned that every delay and deflection would risk more lives. Tragically, there was yet another fatal traffic collision at the end of April when another woman lost her life.

It is not acceptable that Government bodies can acknowledge the risk and danger along the N25 but show no level of urgency in installing road safety measures. We cannot sit idle on this. We need to see action before any more devastation. Funding needs to be prioritised for this road. Will the Government commit to funding the N25 Waterford to Glenmore road scheme in 2025? More than 80 people have died along this stretch of road in the past 40 years. It is more than just a black spot; this is a death trap.

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