David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

In the Minister of State's response she said TII has identified three high-collision sites. That in and of itself tells us how important this road scheme is. Three high-collision sites have been identified because, I would imagine, of the number of fatalities which have happened since 2022. We also have local authorities in the area telling the Minister for Transport very clearly that the road is operating beyond capacity. We have very concerned motorists and very concerned members of the community who are raising these issues, we have the local authority at the highest level raising public safety concerns and road safety concerns and we have the TII identifying high-collision sites on stretches of that road, yet the funding has not come this year. I just find it incredible and I just cannot get my head around the fact that what is only €750,000 has not been allocated this year to proceed this project. I ask that the Minister of State take this back to the Minister for Transport and urge that he reconsider and provide the funding for this year.

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