Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this Commencement matter and I will take his message back firmly to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I will point out that in 2023 an additional €22.5 million was allocated for issues related to inflationary costs and damage to regional and local roads. That is to point out that those roads take 55% of our traffic nationally which is a very significant portion. In that region, Cavan received €687,500 and Monaghan received €580,000. I do firmly take the Senator's point about investment in roads. I know, being from a large rural constituency, how important that is to me in terms of ensuring communities have the best and safest possible roads. One of our big challenges is the N4 network that we are trying to bring to motorway status right down to the west which is a major artery. We are working hard with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to deliver this. As a Government we really need to prioritise this and ensure there is investment in our roads to make them safe and to reduce accidents on them.