Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I support my colleagues who have called on the NRA to take immediate action to provide safety alert mechanisms for our national motorways, bearing in mind the incident that occurred today. It is unacceptable that roadways are being built throughout the country without proper and complete planning. Although the emergency services were on hand very quickly today, which is a credit to all involved, there was nobody in place to prevent the ongoing traffic build-up. It should have been diverted at a much earlier stage. The accident happened immediately after 9 a.m. and even at 11 a.m. traffic was still being trapped on the road.

When one considers all the resources invested in the national routes, one will realise it is very important that the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government instruct, as a matter of urgency, the NRA to incorporate into its plans for roads presently under construction provision for safety alert mechanisms to alleviate future traffic problems.