Time for Govt to act – McEntee
Fine Gael Road Safety Spokesperson, Shane McEntee TD, has warned that the failure to fund measures to tackle dangerous roads is threatening lives. Deputy McEntee said that local authorities claim to have run out of funding while severe weather warnings are still in place and the time has come for central Government to act.
“Treacherous roads have already claimed lives at the weekend and this will continue to be a threat as long as severe weather conditions prevail. Despite the ongoing warnings of bad weather, local councils are not managing to do their jobs in making icy roads safe for motorists. This seems to be because funding has run out at a time when it is critical that councils have the resources to put in place essential road safety measures during adverse weather conditions, like the gritting of roads.
“It is not good enough to just ignore this problem when lives are being lost and more are threatened as forecasts continue to warn of severe weather. It is time for central Government to act and I am calling on Environment Minister John Gormley to recognise that emergency resources are needed before more families are devastated by tragedies on our roads.”