andMr. Cronin asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that the condition of Irish roads is causing grave concern to road users; and if he will arrange to have the huge sum now collected in vehicle taxes returned to the local authorities to enable them to carry out a proper road maintenance and improvement programme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Road Maintenance.
28.
The condition of the roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities. It is estimated that some £50 million, including over £20 million from central funds, will be spent on roads this year, almost double the amount spent in 1972-73. Road works will continue to attract substantial provision from both central and local sources for improvements and maintenance.
I should like to ask the Minister if, in his travels around the country, he has noticed the enormous deterioration in the quality of roads?
I am afraid the Deputy is over-painting the picture. Because of a variety of different weather conditions there are parts of the road system which suffered deterioration this year and which would not in a year with more normal weather. For instance, roads across bogs tended to be affected this year because of the prolonged drought. In other seasons other roads could be damaged because of a considerable amount of ice which, fortunately, we have not had for the last two winters. There is no pattern of overall deterioration.
Would the Minister agree that as there is a 40 per cent reduction in real terms in the amount of money being made available for roads this year compared with 1974 our roads are deteriorating?
Mr. Ryan
I have already pointed out that the amount being spent this year is more than double what was spent in 1972-73 and there has not been 100 per cent rate of inflation in the meantime. In fact, we are now spending more in real terms than was spent by our predecessors.
Would the Minister not accept that to have proper industrialisation here the first basic is a proper road network? Would the Minister not see his way to putting more money into our road network?
I accept that it is desirable to have better roads. It is also desirable not to expand public expenditure beyond the capacity of our economy to pay for it. These things have to be very carefully balanced.