Local TD asks: where's the promised plan to address state of our local roads?

Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport and Westmeath TD Robert Troy has called on Minister Shane Ross to publish his Department's plan to address the shocking state of Ireland's regional and local road network.

Deputy Troy was commenting six months after Dáil Éireann passed a Fianna Fáil motion which explicitly set out the requirement for such a plan.

"Following a damning report by the National Oversight and Audit Commission (NOAC) which found that over two thirds of regional roads were in disrepair, Fianna Fáil moved quickly to introduce a Private Members Motion calling on the Government to address this.

“The reality on the ground for citizens is that poorly paved roads are unsafe roads and increase the likelihood of collisions and other traffic incidents. Further to that, local and regional roads provide vital connections between communities all over Ireland and are vital to our social and economic wellbeing.

“Our motion was very clear in its purpose, and called on this Government to publish a comprehensive pathway to address the concerns highlighted by the NOAC report. More importantly, the motion required the Government to provide an update on their efforts to remedy the issues raised by the NOAC report, no later than six months following the passage of the motion. At the time of the debate on our motion, the Minister agreed to our timeframe so it is particularly galling that he has not stuck to it.

"This was a common sense proposal, and it was supported by a majority of the members of Dáil Éireann. Unfortunately, more than six months have passed since its passage, and we have not heard a dicky bird from the Government. As Minister Ross is undoubtedly aware, ignoring the will of the Dáil in such a manner violates Article 48 of the Bunreacht na hÉireann, which requires that Ministers remain accountable to the Dáil.

"Minister Ross must move to immediately publish an update on his work to bring Ireland's regional and local road network up to an acceptable condition. This is his job, and he must get on with it,” concluded Troy.