asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among the farming community on the ground that trunk roads and link roads are tarred the whole width of the road, leaving no untarred space for horse traffic at the sides; and whether it is intended to discontinue this method.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TARRED ROAD SURFACES.
Mr. HOGAN
I would refer the Deputy to the replies given on this subject in the Dáil on the 23rd of February last. I am further advised that leaving an untarred strip along each side to afford a foothold for horses, which has been done to a large extent for years past, has the great drawback that this strip wears away rapidly. The central tarred strip remains good for years while the untarred strip wears away in a year or so, so that this part of the road becomes dangerously out of level with the middle. It is not possible to steamroll it without breaking up the middle portion or to keep it intact by patching.
Does the Minister suggest any remedy?
Mr. HOGAN
I think that supplementary questions should be addressed to the Minister for Local Government. I am answering questions for him as he is in the Seanad.