It has been on the political agenda in Kerry for years and, not for the first time, the problems at Listry Bridge have been discussed at a high level in the Dáil.
The narrow structure, on the main Killarney to Milltown road, has been the bane of politicans’ lives for longer than they will care to remember and none more so than Cllr Brendan Cronin who has been a constant and particularly vocal campaigner seeking to get the problem sorted.
This week the matter has again been raised in the corridors of power with Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae highlighting the saga at Listry Bridge in the order of business in the Dáil.
He told Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, that the structure was built more than 200 years ago for horses and cars but it is now inadequate to cater for traffic.
“It is very unfair on all the people of mid-Kerry that the bridge is reduced to a single lane. There are plans on file somewhere detailing the need for this bridge.
“I ask the Taoiseach to dust down the files and provide money to make a proper bridge out of it,” he said.
When Mr Martin suggested that it was a matter for Kerry County Council, Deputy Healy-Rae said the money for an upgrade has to be provided by the government.
The Taoiseach remarked: “The Deputy has great access to the county council, surely”.
Deputy Healy-Rae replied: “Johnny and Maura and Jackie Healy-Rae have it raised”.
Mr Martin said: “I would have thought the Deputy, as a public representative, would have persuaded the council, at this stage, to get it done. Anyway, we will dust down the digital files and see where the bridge is”.
Three years ago, then Minister of State and Kerry TD, Brendan Griffin, revealed that €200,000 has been allocated to start the process of process of replacing Listry Bridge on the R563 between Milltown and Killarney.
Acknowledging that it was the scene of frequent collisions and the funding, he said the money would facilitate site investigation works and design preparation and, he added, it was the first step in the process to secure a wider and safer bridge.
“This is a significant milestone for Listry Bridge. This is the first step in the process to finally replace this bridge, which is dangerous and prone to flooding,” said Deputy Griffin who issued a photograph of himself standing at the bridge to the local press.
“I will continue to work hard with my colleagues to see the bridge becoming shovel ready and eligible for full construction as quickly as possible.”
At the time, Cllr Brendan Cronin, who has championed the Listry Bridge cause for several years, cautioned: “This allocation is to be welcomed but we must not get carried away”.
In an obvious reference to Deputy Griffin’s 2019 statement, Deputy Healy-Rae told the Dáil this week that the Fine Gael TD has to travel over Listry Bridge on his way home to Castlemaine.
“Deputy Griffin goes over this bridge. I do not know whether he knows the name of it or not,” he quipped.
Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, remarked: “The Deputy’s concern for Deputy Griffin is most moving and touching”.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin added: “It is indeed .In fairness to Deputy Griffin, we should do everything we possible can to identify the issues here”.
