asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the condition of the Dunloe Gap county road is such that it is almost impassable; and that some months ago a request was made by the Kerry County Council to Board Fáilte Éireann for a substantial grant to relieve flooding and repair the surface of the road, without any reference to widening or removal of bends; and whether he has any proposals in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dunloe Gap Road.
56.
The repair of this county road is a matter for the Kerry County Council. I understand that Bord Fáilte Éireann have informed the county council that they are not in a position to accede to the council's request for a grant to carry out the work. I may say that the provision of funds for the repair of county roads is a matter for the road authorities concerned and it is open to the Kerry County Council to consider the needs of this road when dealing with the county road estimate for the coming financial year.
Is the Minister aware that this is a very important tourist road, that thousands of tourists travel over it on ponies during the tourist season, that there are a number of highly rated farmers in the valley, that a new church has been built there, that some of those farmers have motor cars and that the priests of the parish have to travel over that road from Beaufort village, though it is impassable for motor cars, and would he appeal to Bord Fáilte to reconsider their decision? It is a very important matter.
I am afraid that the matter of Bord Fáilte making grants is not one over which I have any control. Again, I would say to the Deputy that this is a matter for Kerry County Council and I think that at the moment something is being done about it. If the question were raised there, it would likely bear more fruit.