asked the Minister for Lands when a scheme for the completion of the Southpark-Rathlarna road, Balfe-Cotter estate, County Roscommon, is likely to be put into operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Completion of Roscommon Road.
The Land Commission have already spent over £2,600 on the construction of this road and the question of making a further sum available to complete the work is at present under consideration and will be decided quickly.
In view of the fact that such a large sum has been expended on this road, surely it is sensible to suggest that, where both ends of the road have been made and the middle portion unmade, it is waste of money spending such a large sum until the remainder of the road is completed and that that should be done in the shortest possible space of time? Could the Minister give any indication as to whether the road is likely to be completed in the next 12 months?
I cannot say that. The Deputy seems to be under the impression that the making of the remaining portion of the road is necessary to make it a through road. That is not so. The portion of the road that was done accommodated all that there was need to accommodate at the time. There is just a chance that the Land Commission may decide not to make the remaining part.
The Minister is well aware of the fact that quite a number of school children who have to come from the far end of the road have to cross this unmade strip in order to go to school.
There is no necessity. They have an alternative way.
They have an alternative roundabout way. This is the way the children are now going to school. It is the shortest way and it is the way that could suit many other people besides the families living on the road.
That is not a very good case.
This is the most ridiculous proposition I have heard for a long time.