Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

When I drive around the country, I am amazed at the changes in the non-national roads that have occurred over the past six to seven years. We have heard from commentators over the years that not enough was done and that certain areas of the country were being ignored, but the change is country wide.

I looked back over the speeches of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen. He said: "The flyover has replaced the pothole as a symbol of Irish roads." That is a direct result of the investment that has taken place.

The only statistics available for the volume of cars on the road are up to 2002. In 1985, there were 914,758 licensed cars on the road and in 2002, there were 1.85 million. We had 2.1 million licensed drivers. That is a massive increase, and the investment must be continued to maintain that. The 5% increase will assist with that and I, therefore, welcome the Bill.

I would like to share my time with Senator Mansergh.