A local TD has slammed the government for reducing road funding for Cavan and Monaghan in this year's budget.
It is an issue that Sinn Féin TD, Matt Carthy has repeatedly raised in the Óireachtas.
Speaking in the Dáil this week, Deputy Carthy asked the Taoiseach about the "atrocious" conditions of many roads in Co. Cavan.
He explained that local authorities are doing their best to stretch their funding, but that they haven't received enough.
Deputy Carthy asked the Taoiseach to ensure that Cavan and Monaghan receive additional road funding "as a matter of urgency".
In his contribution, he also slammed the government's response to the issue.
Deputy Carthy said: "I have raised this with the Taoiseach on a number of occasions. He has responded by saying that his Fianna Fáil representatives have also raised this issue with him but, clearly, he has either not listened or his Cavan-Monaghan representatives are not effective.
"This year, the Government allocated less funding for local road restorations to Cavan and Monaghan than last year.
"Our local authorities are doing their best. They are trying to patch and stretch the funding but the funding simply is not enough.
"At a time people are paying more and more in taxes and charges for the luxury of driving their cars, which is, in fact, a necessity, I ask the Taoiseach again: will he ensure that Cavan and Monaghan receive additional funding as a matter of urgency for our local road restoration and maintenance?" he added.
In response, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin refuted Deputy Carthy's claims.
He said that there are people of "considerable experience" who have had a "significant impact" in Cavan and Monaghan.
The Taoiseach also outlined that, nationally, there has been an increase in overall funding for roads this year.
"The Deputy is being unfair to his colleagues, Government TDs who are people of considerable experience and who have had significant impact over the years in respect of Cavan-Monaghan area," the Taoiseach said.
"There has been increased funding overall in terms of roads this year. I will engage with the Ministers for housing and the environment, local authorities and the Minister for public expenditure to make sure we can deal with the significant challenges that people undoubtedly face across the country in respect of roads, road maintenance and restoration," he added.
