Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer to concerns about the need for urgent action on the N5, particularly between Frenchpark and Strokestown. Locals have informed me that there are black spots along this section of road. We understand there have been over 20 accidents at a particular one. I have raised this issue on several occasions in the past year with Roscommon County Council and ask that Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, deal with it urgently. We need to see a review of, or action taken on, the need for better signage, verges and road surfacing on the N5, particularly between Frenchpark and Strokestown. I am also very concerned about vehicles being driven at excessive speeds through the villages of Frenchpark, Bellanagare and Tulsk. We know that there is a plan for a new route between Scramogue and Tibohine, which will be a very positive development when it happens. However, in the interim I call for urgent action to deal with what is a major route to the west. I will be seeking a meeting with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and ask the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, and the Minister of State, Deputy Patrick O'Donovan, to take this issue very seriously. As I have highlighted, there have been many accidents along this section of road and every accident is one too many. We need to reduce the risk as much as possible.There are identified safety risks on this section and I ask for action to be taken as quickly as possible.