28 January 1999 Edition

Resize: A A A Print

O Caoláin presses for big increase in roads funding

Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin, as a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Local Government, this week engaged directly with senior Department of Environment and Local Government officials on the failure so far of central government to provide necessary funding to address the deplorable state of the county roads in his Cavan/Monaghan constituency.

Deputy O Caoláin with other TDs and Senators met with Niall Callan, Assistant Secretary of the Department (Roads Division), Peter McEvoy, Principal Officer and Aeneas Langford, Principal Advisor, during the course of a meeting with Department and National Roads Authority officials on Tuesday evening. The Cavan/Monaghan TD pressed for a significant increase in the allocation of monies for the County and Regional roads network in both Counties Monaghan and Cavan.

The Sinn Féin TD challenged the Assistant Secretary's contention that the current 10-year Restoration Programme (1996-2005), now in its fourth year, was on target to deliver 100% surface restoration and road reconstruction across the State for all roads identified in the Road Pavement Condition Study of all non-national roads commissioned by the Department.

Deputy O Caoláin said areas of high neglect such as the border counties of Cavan and Monaghan have not had their dire situation reflected in funding to date.

In a direct appeal to the Department officials in advance of next Monday's expected announcement by Minister for the Environment and Local Government Noel Dempsey TD of the 1999 Roads Allocations for County and Regional Roads, Deputy O Caoláin appealed for a significant increase to both Counties Cavan and Monaghan in order that the current projected road plan can be brought forward in all areas, giving much needed relief to the beleaguered communities who continue to suffer from the neglect of decades.

In his continuing efforts to press the case for Counties Monaghan and Cavan Deputy O Caoláin has sought a direct meeting with Minister Dempsey in advance of Monday's anticipated announcement.


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland