Calls to repair Carlow potholes ‘so big you could lose a small child in them’

Extra funding is needed to repair potholes in County Carlow that are “so big you could lose a small child in them”, the Dáil has heard.

Carlow-Kilkenny Fianna Fáil TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere made the remarks during a recent discussion on Cabinet committees.

Deputy Cleere said: “A huge number of rural roads in Carlow-Kilkenny have been absolutely destroyed in the past couple of weeks due to the torrential rainfall and serious flooding in the area.

“This has resulted in serious potholes and, in many cases, complete disintegration of road surfaces, making them impassable.

“In some cases, there are potholes so big you could lose a small child in them.

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“I am asking the Taoiseach and the Government to provide additional once-off emergency funding to those counties which have been so desperately affected by the storm.”

He went on to highlight certain areas in the constituency which have particularly suffered from recent flooding.

“There are lots of roads that are in brutal condition, some still impassable, and they need complete reconstruction.

“At the weekend, when driving in places like Drummin, St. Mullins, Spahill, Glynn, Tomduff, Ballyglisheen and Knocksquire, I saw that all of the roads had been seriously damaged.

“Many of these are local roads with high agricultural volumes but these routes serve as the only route for many rural residents. They are vital for vulnerable residents.

“They are school bus routes and there are also access requirements for milk lorries and other essential services.”

He concluded by once again calling for additional emergency funding to be allocated to these areas.

In response to Deputy Cleere, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he has seen first hand the devastation caused by the flooding.

The Taoiseach stated: “I have spoken to the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien. Without question, very significant damage has been done to quite a lot of local roads in areas of severe flooding over the past month.

“I was in Aughrim recently with Deputy Byrne and saw at first hand the damage done to the roads there. In fact, some of the roads came with the flood.

“The situation is very serious. The officials who were with the Minister said they are awaiting returns from the councils in respect of an assessment and an estimate of the damage that has been done.”

He went on to say that he would again liaise with Minister O’Brien regarding the provision of extra roads funding.

“I will talk to the Minister again to allocate funding to those roads in the context of the weather damage that has been done.

“They are waiting on the rough estimates from the councils for the cost of restoring the roads that have been without question damaged as a result of the flooding.”

He concluded by saying that he would keep in touch with Deputy Cleere with regards the situation in Carlow and Kilkenny.