asked the Minister for Local Government whether he has received a copy of a resolution, from the Longford County Council, seeking sanction for the necessary expenditure on the repair of cul-de-sac roads in the county, in view of the necessity for improving such roads in order to facilitate the passage of heavy agricultural machinery to farms situated on such roads; and if so, whether he will sanction the proposals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair of Longford Roads.
I have received a resolution from the Longford County Council requesting the Government to introduce legislation to allow the council to repair cul-de-sac and other roads which are not public roads and requesting grants towards expenditure on such roads and also on county roads on the same scale as grants are made for main roads. I would not feel justified in proposing legislation of the nature indicated which would place additional and unwarranted charges on the rates and the Road Fund. Provision is made through minor employment schemes and rural improvement schemes for the repair and improvement of cul-de-sac and other roads which are not maintained by local authorities.
This is a great hardship on the farmers living in the country districts with bad roads. They cannot get in any sort of heavy machinery such as tractors. When a man is a heavy ratepayer and has to pay, say, £83 as part of his subsidy towards the improvement of a road, it is very hard on him to do that and deal with his crops at the same time. I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary or the Minister to reconsider this matter.