More resources needed to repair regional roads and stop collisions – Kelly

Vivienne Clarke

Labour TD Alan Kelly has called on the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to increase resources to local authorities to maintain regional roads.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show, the former Labour party leader said the last nine months had been "horrendous" in terms of the impact of the weather on roads, especially regional roads.

While €658 million would be spent on roads this year, there was an issue of proportionality, the Tipperary TD said.

He added his father had worked for years on the roads for the local council, and said he had never seen the roads in such a bad condition.

Local authorities are under pressure, Mr Kelly said, but there were significant routes that had been "absolutely destroyed" due to the weather.

"The amount of resources required really has to be looked at by Eamon Ryan and this Government, because we need far more funding, we need far more resources, we need more people over the councils, and more contractors to come in."

Mr Kelly called for all data in relation to road incidents to be shared and for black spots to be dealt with quickly.

He said incidents could be avoided if roads were repaired, but there is no comprehensive plan to do so.

Mr Kelly also called for greater resources for An Garda Síochána so officers could enforce traffic legislation more vigorously.