Call for TDs to approve extra €50m for road repairs

TDs are being asked to approve an extra Budget for the Department of Transport to repair the country’s roads.

Earlier this year the Department of Transport announced a €50m programme to repair the roads after two harsh winters.

But it has now emerged that the Department did not have the money in its annual Budget – and it needs the Oireachtas to give it extra funding to keep operating for the rest of this year.

An Oireachtas committee will discuss the request for extra funding tomorrow.

Fianna Fáil Transport Spokesman Timmy Dooley says the Department has been in denial about the state of some rural roads.

“They hadn’t included in their estimate earlier in the year, when the budget was being formulated previously, enough money to carry out the important road works that are necessary,” he said.

“They’ve been trying to, obviously, reduce their spending, but not recognising the amount that’s needed to be spent on maintaining and caring for the road network.” Source: The Irish Examiner