Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport and Communications, Martin Kenny TD, has today called on the Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to immediately clarify the reports that Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) funding to local authorities for roads projects has been stopped.

According to an email exchange shared with Deputy Kenny, TII recently confirmed that they had contacted a number of local authorities informing them “there will be a significant number of schemes that cannot progress to construction’’ due to a shortfall in government funding.

Teachta Kenny said:

“The fact that this government would deny there have been any cuts to roads projects for more than six months, and then suddenly put a stop to work progressing, is a scandal.

“We initially saw a cut of €150m to the road safety and maintenance fund in Budget 2024. I have questioned the former Taoiseach, Minister Ryan, and Junior Minister Chambers about this repeatedly. In each exchange they accused Sinn Féin of scaremongering and denied the cuts.

“Indeed, they insisted that the cut would not affect maintenance, upgrade or safety works and that no delays to projects would occur.

“We now have confirmation from TII that this is not the case, and these cuts will have a very real implication for our local communities.

“Many of the maintenance or safety works which are so desperately needed in our communities – and have been planned for some time – will not go ahead now.

“This is happening during a time when we are seeing a frightening increase in serious road collisions and fatalities.

“There is an agenda at cabinet level to pull back funding from roads no matter what the consequences to workers and families. .

The Greens, supported by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, are continuing to hollow out roads resources as they force people off local roads.

“Those who will suffer most are workers using cars and vans to get to work, and vulnerable pedestrians including small children and the elderly.”