A local TD has said he is “shocked and disgusted” by funding for road maintenance and restoration that was announced the government this week.
Yesterday (Tuesday, February 18th) the Department of Transport announced over €50 million in funding for roads across Cavan and Monaghan, and €1.5 billion in funding nationally.
Deputy Carthy claimed that funding for Monaghan decreased by almost €800,000.
The Sinn Féin TD also said that funding for Cavan reduced by €27,875.
Local representatives across the region had welcomed the funding when it came out yesterday.
However, speaking to Northern Sound this morning (Wednesday, February 18th) Deputy Carthy said that it is “important to get beyond government spin”.
Deputy Carthy had expected a “substantial increase” in road funding, following interactions with the Minister for Transport in the Dáil last month.
He told Northern Sound: "I think its really important we get beyond government spin. What was actually announced yesterday, in my view, was an utter disgrace.
"That funding for roads allocation in rural counties like Cavan and Monaghan has actually been reduced. I think that people will be rightly stunned to learn that at a time when the condition of local roads are worse than they've ever been, the government have actually reduced the funding for the maintenance and restoration of local roads.
"What's even more stunning is that local representatives from those parties have welcomed the allocation. It shows a government that is completely out of touch. Families in counties like Cavan and Monaghan depend on their cars. In return, government have repeatedly made their lives hard," he added.