Potholes say a lot about the similarities between the two parts of Ireland |
When Northern Ireland and the Republic experience the same problem, it proves the cause is not a shortage of money.
Potholes are the latest illustration. Stormont’s Department for Infrastructure is responsible for building and maintaining all roads north of the Border, including local roads. As usual, its minister – currently Sinn Féin’s Liz Kimmins – has blamed a lack of funding from Britain.
This familiar excuse is increasingly ridiculed, although more for its pettiness than through any understanding of Stormont’s finances. The Northern executive receives enough funding to deliver services to the same standard as in England, allowing for Northern Ireland’s higher needs and costs, according to its own independent economic experts. However, that is rather arcane and easy for politicians to obfuscate.
It is simpler to point to potholes south of the Border, where the Government clearly has more money than it can spend.
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Councils bear much of the responsibility for road maintenance in the........