Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity we have to make statements on transport this week. I wish to highlight road safety. Sadly, 19 fatalities occurred on Mayo roads last year, which is an astounding figure and a sad and damning statistic. I highlight an issue of safety on the N17 roadway travelling from Charlestown towards Knock Airport. The reason I raise it is that it is the responsibility of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII. We need it highlighted in the Seanad to put pressure on for a community that is living in fear. It is the exit onto the Hagfield road and serves St. Attracta’s nursing home as well as a local garage and dog kennels. This is an example of TII inaction on a road for which it has responsibility. The road needs to be addressed and made safe. It is a treacherous junction. Along this stretch of the N17 and the N5, there have been many fatalities and accidents. We have motorists and commuters living in fear. I welcome the opportunity I will have to raise the issue later this week with the Minister for Transport because we need to do everything we can to listen to communities and improve road safety.

Before I finish, two weeks ago I raised an issue related to forestry and, in particular, a situation in Ballycastle in north Mayo, where a community is animatedly against proposals by Coillte to plant a forest right next to a GAA ground and a number of residences. The planning for the proposal was approved but we do not have sight of exactly who is the decision-making body. We need answers for the community. I ask the Minister to engage with and meet the Ballycastle community so that a resolution can be found and mediation takes place.