asked the Minister for Local Government if it is proposed to increase road grants to local authorities immediately in accordance with the policy of the Government.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authority Road Grants.
No alteration will be made in the various works programmes of local authorities this year.
Is it not a fact that when they were on the other side of the House Fianna Fáil offered severe criticism to the last Government's policy in connection with the road grants and that they had given an undertaking when on this side of the House that if they were returned to office they would restore the road grants in full which were in operation when they were last in office?
It is a fact that the Minister for Finance of the last Government raided the Road Fund for the last three years to the extent of £300,000 per annum; that if that raid had not taken place there would have been more money for the roads and, if it were not spent on the roads then, there would have been more available to me for disbursement.
Who introduced the Finance Bill? Was it not Deputy MacEntee?