Waterford TD says 'slashed' funding shows county road not a priority for government
The Sinn Féin TD said N72 funding has been cut by more than 50%
Waterford TD Conor D McGuinness has hit out at what he calls a "slashed allocation" for Waterford roads.
In a statement, the Sinn Féin TD said that his analysis shows that funding for the N72 has fallen from €637,000 in 2025 to €295,000 in 2026, representing a cut of more than 50%.
Deputy McGuinness says this shows the route being deprioritised.
“For communities along this corridor, that is a serious blow.”
“The N72 is a critical regional and tourism route linking Cappoquin, Lismore and Tallow, serving residents, local businesses, agricultural traffic and seasonal visitor flows across wider West Waterford.
"Cutting its funding by more than 50% shows where this Government’s priorities lie.”
“This might not matter to Waterford’s two Government ministers, but it is unacceptable to residents of Cappoquin, Lismore, Tallow and the wider West Waterford area who rely on this road every single day,” said Deputy McGuinness.
Deputy McGuinness went on to say that the Tallow Hill Bend and Lismore schemes appear to be operating and at a “significantly reduced level”.
He said he is working with his colleague councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy, to ensure pressure is sustained locally.
Deputy McGuinness said the reduction in N72 funding comes in the context of an overall cut of €829,493 in national roads funding for Waterford in 2026, with the county dropping from 13th to 16th in the national rankings.
“When Waterford’s overall roads funding is cut by almost 10% and the N72 allocation is reduced by more than half, the direction of travel is obvious.
"Communities deserve certainty, safety and long-term planning, not year-to-year trimming,” said Deputy McGuinness.
