Since my election, I have constantly raised the dangerous conditions and layout of roads across my constituency. Nowhere is this crisis more severe than in south Kilkenny along the N25. The stretch past the Rhu Glenn can be described as a deadly accident black spot. The statistics are not just numbers. They are families and communities left devastated. Over the past 40 years, more than 80 people have lost their lives on this road alone. In recent years, we have endured several fatal collisions. A road traffic report confirms what the local community already knows. Life will never be the same for these people and their families. They have to shout loudly. There have been delays and delays. This is not about manpower; this is about money. This road has been pushed beyond its limit with a 360% increase in users. It is not fit for purpose. While progress on an upgrade is under way, its pace is mind-bogglingly slow. Every month of delays is a gamble with lives. This is not an isolated issue. Across Ireland, our roads are becoming more deadly. We have seen this all too often. In Kilkenny, the N24 runs on from the N25 and is just as deadly. Extreme weather from flooding to relentless rainfall is ripping apart rural roads that are already in a poor state. On the quays in Thomastown, roads and walls are collapsing. Again, this is down to money, not manpower. We need a substantial increase in central funding to local authorities, not for patching potholes, but for proper repair, resilient materials and modern engineering that can withstand these new climate realities. Too often, the Government's sole answer to road safety is to lower speed limits. This is a pointless action if we lack the gardaí to enforce it. The facts are stark. Over the past 15 years, the number of gardaí in road policing has collapsed by a staggering 41%. As the roads have grown busier, the number of gardaí tasked with policing them has been nearly halved. This is an utter failure of policy by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The Minister speaks of recruiting new gardaí but he is silent on the high volume of experienced members leaving every month for police forces in the likes of Australia. We are losing our wealth of knowledge and experience. Addressing road safety demands accountability. We need a serious commitment to restore road policing units, and we need clear accountability from the leadership of An Garda Síochána for its performance around road safety.

Sentiment score: -0.06