Michael Brennan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and his address to the House which covered the vast amount of funding under the roadworks schemes.

In regard to the proposed increases in motor taxation, it must be acknowledged that the funding has been ring fenced for non-national roads, which is very important. Some €277 million has been allocated for that purpose this year. We must also realise the contributions of local authorities throughout the country working with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, particularly on lower categories of roads. The non-national roads network is very important to the population and it is vital we allocate sufficient funding to maintain those roads.

I am happy with the Minister's commitment to allocate extra funding in the next ten years. The roads study is also important because it is essential to evaluate the value for money aspect of the work carried out in the past seven years, during which funding has been increased by 122%. We can identify the roads in need of attention. Certain categories of county roads are well maintained but lower category roads which serve low population densities are losing out. It is important they get a fair crack at the whip.

It is important that safety is number one, particularly in regard to the review of speed limits. I agree with Senator McCarthy that more thought will have to go into the introduction of speed limit signs in order for them to be legally acceptable. We must also examine the reduction of speed limits where the condition of roads plays an important role.

I welcome the additional funding for the coming year and wish the Bill every success.