Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 3, before section 2, to insert the following new section:

2.–In so far as additional payments are made to the Local Government Fund by virtue of this Act which, but for this Act, would not be made, such payments shall be applied to the construction, repair and maintenance of tertiary roads.".

This amendment proposes that a special fund be made available by the Department to enable local authorities to repair and improve tertiary roads. My colleague, Deputy Gilmore, made this suggestion in the Dáil during the debate on the Bill. There is a major problem with tertiary roads. In my local authority area roads leading into estates, particularly old roads, have deteriorated severely in recent years. The road into my estate is full of potholes; it is in an unbelievable state. Every now and then the county council has the holes filled but the repairs only last for a couple of months before the holes reappear. Substantial work has to be done on them.