Roads repair scheme exposes Deputy Kehoe's home tax lie - O' Súilleabháin

A local Sinn Fein spokesperson and campaigner against the Home Tax, Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, has said that the government’s proposal to “carry out road repairs on the cheap must be scrapped” and that "it exposes the lie that the Home Tax would be used to fund the services provided by local councils"

He was responding to Wexford's Minister of State, Paul Kehoe, who this week championed the Community Involvement in Road Works Scheme (CIRWS).

“This government has reached a new low. This road repair scheme expects local people to provide 20-50% of funding, including free labour, to ensure their rural roads are repaired. There are also questions about potential job losses to be answered."

I found Deputy Kehoe's announcement in the local press on Tuesday quite ironical, as I was reading it while I waited for my car to be fixed in a garage near Gorey, in order to prepare it for the NCT. I ended up with a bill for over 300 euro for damages mainly related to driving on rural secondary roads in North Wexford many of which resemble something from a warzone.

I intend sending the invoice to Wexford County Council and would encourage other motorists to do likewise. Though I won't be holding my breath in terms of payment.  At least it might remind them of their responsibilities"

He concluded:

"It is a shocking indictment of Deputy Kehoe's government that they now expect  local rural communities to fund the repair of these roads which cause the damages as well! People pay a whole range of taxes to cover the cost of road repairs and other essential services. This scheme must be immediately scrapped"

He added:

“This government has massively slashed local government funding from €210m in 2011 to €24m this year. On top of this the government took a further €150m out of the Motor Tax Fund to pay off the foreign debt.  These cuts have led to the crisis that is at the heart local authorities such as Wexford County Council.”

 “Deputy Kehoe's government has cut spending on road maintenance from €1.258 billion in 2011 to €750m this year. Expecting local people to plug the gap is disgraceful and irresponsible. Motorists in Rural Ireland will once again bear the brunt of this government’s mismanagement of our resources.”