Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. I accept that roads fall within the remit of Galway County Council or county councils in general, but where there are road safety issues and there have been fatalities on the road in question and in the area in question, it is not acceptable that the situation continues. I will contact the director of roads for Galway County Council to ask that he apply for funding when the new funding comes on stream for 2015 and I urge the Minister to seriously prioritise funding for this area to try to rectify the issue.

I am flummoxed and flabbergasted by the remark in the response that the pedestrian deck and the attempts to install it would be a potential hazard to children. It is a hazard to children on a daily basis as things stand as they make their way to school with no footpath. Parents are having to dodge cars and motorists are having to dodge pedestrians. There have been fatalities at this point in the past. How many more do we need before something is done? I ask that Deputy Donohoe, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, along with representatives from Irish Rail and Galway County Council, come together and liaise to try to sort out this matter for the 1,000 people living in this area.