Favorable allocation of resources for elected representative’s road
Published 28/08/2026 By Ross McGann
A recent set of road works within the North Offaly area sparked questions locally as a 4km section of road had water lines replaced and 3Km of the same road either got recycled to new or new surface laid. Sections of the road had been in disrepair for many years, and sections had been resurfaced in recent years. The final 1km or so of road that had water lines replaced was left without any resurfacing works outside of Irish Water reinstating trenches used to replace lines.
Extract from email received as part of FOI, from Offaly Council Engineer and Irish Water
An email obtained through freedom of information, between Offaly County Council engineer and Irish Water mentions that an elected representative lives on the road, and that due to deferment of road resurfacing works that arose over Irish Waters plans to replace lines, a commitment had been made to try and double the length of the scheme in relation to resurfacing. As such they asked that Irish water pay half of the work and that Irish water could “forgo the long term impact charges of the roads opening licenses and agree on minimal reinstatement requirements for the remainder of the works”.
Extract from Spreadsheet received as part of FOI request
A spreadsheet of works obtained through freedom of information request shows that out of the 10 “Restoration improvement (RIG)” projects listed that took place on “l” class roads, the road the elected representative lives got 2000 meters, while the next highest only got 750 meters, and most got only between 300 to 600 meters recycled. That 2000 meters does not include the additional 1000 meters of roads surfacing dressing that was covered by Irish Water.
What didn’t get done?
The last 1km stretch of the road, which services a number of local businesses including construction companies and a popular kennels, has not been properly resurfaced for many years. The condition deteriorates further every year and many locals are left asking why the same level of resurfacing did not take place after the water line replacement.
Local Councillors confirmed that no budget was available to finish the stretch and mentioned how Irish water had covered 1km out of the 3km that did get done due to the deferral. They did not address the issue that sections of road which had been resurfaced within recent years were done again, while the final stretch has not been resurfaced in years.
A similar issue was raised within the community WhatsApp group recently and one of the Councillors relayed that road conditions are “Subjective”.
Local Questions:
Another question that has been raised locally surrounds the allocation of resources, and in this instance, how deferred works resulted in compensation for the elected representative in the form of a commitment to try and double the length of the scheme. As non elected representatives, most people within the area would not be aware that roads resurfacing was planned on their road until maybe the week before they begin. As such we have no way of knowing if works have been deferred nor way of seeking the same compensation in terms of doubling the length of scheme if they had been.
There are also safety concerns regarding a junction that splits the full 4km stretch, it was included within the surface dressing works, however as the works was only done on two of the three roads that make up the junction; the section of new surface dressing creates what many have described as a “dangerous lip” when going from undone to new section.
Conclusion:
Overall people are happy that the work that did get done was complete, sections of the road that were in dire need of repair have been greatly improved and the new water lines should hopefully reduce loss due to leaks and secure local supply. People also seem understanding that an elected representative is going to be advocating for their most local road and services to be seen to, they just wish that they could get the same allocation of resources for their own areas.
