Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join in congratulating front-line workers, the emergency services, the volunteers and all those who assisted in any way during the recent adverse weather, as well as the National Emergency Coordination Group, which did extraordinary good work. I echo the gracious compliments paid by Senator Black to An Taoiseach for his leadership role in this entire emergency.

This storm has played havoc with the road network with frost, thaw, floods and snow. All these combined weather conditions have damaged the pavement of the roads considerably, creating a network of potholes and, as a result, havoc. It is a serious issue across the country and particularly acute in County Cavan. Up to 96% of the road network in Cavan is made up of smaller county and regional roads. The regional roads linking towns in County Cavan are effectively primary roads for those who work and live in those towns and surrounding areas. These county roads are a vital network for farmers and others engaged in various activities. We got a welcome increase of 20% in the road allocation this year. However, that was on foot of a 50% reduction during the recession. Road grants came back up 10% last year and 20% this year. There is still a long way to go, however.

The Minister must be invited to the House to discuss giving a special allocation to the county councils to deal with the road crisis. For counties like Cavan, which does not have a rail network or buses in the main, except on the primary route, the N3, the road network is vital. I am calling for a special allocation and the Minister to come to the House to discuss it.

I second Senator Craughwell's remarks on car insurance. It is a shocking problem for our young people and is acute in counties with no other alternative forms of transport.