The Government has once again turned its back on communities in Waterford and across the South East by refusing to take responsibility for chronic safety failures on the N25, according to Sinn Féin TD for Waterford Conor D. McGuinness.
The N25 – the primary transport artery for Waterford and much of the South East – has been identified as the most dangerous national road in the state. Despite a steady rise in serious accidents and a long list of known black spots, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has refused to provide any detail on the Government’s investment or plans to improve safety along the route.
“In response to my direct question about what funding had been allocated for works on the N25 this year – including where, how much, and for what purpose – the Minister chose not to answer. He passed the buck to Transport Infrastructure Ireland, refusing to give even the most basic breakdown of funding or planned safety works,” said Deputy McGuinness.
“This is a disgrace. Communities along the N25 from Kilmeaden to Youghal Bridge have been crying out for action. Stretch after stretch – Lemybrien, Cushcam, Grange – is marked by dangerous junctions, poor road layout and repeated collisions. Local people know the danger. Emergency responders know it. My heart goes out to all those that have suffered bereavements, and also to those that have been injured.
“I’ve been raising this issue for years as a councillor, and I’ve brought it to the Dáil floor repeatedly since my election as a TD. But just like his predecessor, Minister O’Brien seems determined to bury his head in the sand. He’s more interested in dodging responsibility than doing the job.”
Deputy McGuinness said the Minister’s failure to provide transparency on N25 investment highlights a wider problem with how Government is managing national roads outside the capital.
“Every year, the people of the South East hear new promises but when it comes to basic safety upgrades on one of the country’s most dangerous national roads, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael disappear. No plan. No timelines. No accountability.”
Sinn Féin is demanding an immediate audit of dangerous junctions and accident blackspots along the N25, and a clear, funded programme for safety upgrades.
“This is not just about tarmac and traffic volumes. It’s about lives. Unless the Government takes this seriously, more families will get that knock on the door. I won’t stop raising this until action is taken.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 