Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response and I appreciate that he is reading a response he received from the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. Unfortunately, the content of it does not inspire me or offer me much hope with regard to roads funding. I ask respectfully that the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, bring a message back to him on behalf of the people of Monaghan and Cavan and indeed many other parts of rural Ireland. It is that the local road network is the only show in town we have to get from A to B. Up to this point the funding we were getting, although welcome, was not adequate to address the serious issues we have. Now the fact is that we have a survey that is nationally recognised and that shows of the 1,020 km of local tertiary roads 25% of them show severe structural failure. That is 255 km, and in the Castleblayney-Carrickmacross municipal district, MD, 35% of that total is in a category that is classified as being one of the worst in the country.

Regarding funding to the local authorities, if they are given the funding they will spend it. They need to get it, first of all, in order to be in a position to spend it. I respectfully request the Minister of State take a message back to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan that we need more funding and we respectfully request more funding because it is so badly needed. I thank the Minister of State.