Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will be sharing one minute of my time with Senator Brady. I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber in his new role. I congratulate him on his elevation to that role and commend him on the that fact that he is so proactive and enthusiastic. He will bring the same skill set to his role that he brought to so many other roles in the past. He brings great talent and energy to every role he adopts. The two are a great combination. I wish him well.

The Minister of State referred to funding for roads. While Cavan was allocated €19 million this year and Monaghan €18 million - that represents an increase in objective terms and on last year - when one factors in inflation and, in the case of Cavan, the whole programme for road signage to be paid for out of that funding, it is obvious that we will need a top-up. Such a facility exists and happens in many instances during the year. It would need to happen early in order for the work to be done. The Minster of State has briefs relating to rural affairs and road safety. I know he will take both seriously. The road structure in Cavan is breaking down again. A problem is developing there. We could be back to where we started. We made huge progress in recent years. I am anxious that we do not let what I am referring to happen. Will the Minister of State take that into consideration?

We need an education campaign regarding the problem of people wearing of dark clothing when walking on roads at night and that sort of thing

. There is so much more I could say. It is good to have the Minister of State here and to be having this debate. I will hand over to my colleague.