Storm Chandra Road Repairs Still “Under Consideration” As Local TD Warns Of Safety Risks

Brian Brennan is exasperated at the lack of moment in road repair funding for south Wicklow five months on from when Storm Chandra made landfall

Storm Chandra’s impact on roads in Wicklow and Wexford has sparked a lively exchange in the Dáil, with a local TD warning of serious safety risks and a government minister insisting funding issues are still being assessed.

Wicklow–Wexford TD Brian Brennan told the Dáil that communities are still living with the consequences of the storm five months on, saying he is “totally frustrated” at the lack of progress on repairs.

“It’s my fourth time in this room asking for funds for the roads,” he said, adding that he feels councils are being “given the runaround” despite repeated requests for emergency support.

He warned that roads across the region remain in a dangerous condition, describing “massive potholes” and blocked routes, and said the situation now represents a “serious health and safety risk.”

“We are dealing with dangerous roads,” he said, calling for full resurfacing rather than temporary patching. “We don’t want a sticky plaster… we need proper surface work done and we need it done now.”

He also claimed that local authority in Wicklow are seeking tens of millions of euro in additional funding to properly restore damaged roads.

In response, Minister of State Charlie McConologue acknowledged the scale of the storm’s destruction, saying it caused “very severe winds, prolonged heavy rain and extensive flooding,” leaving more than 120 roads impassable and over 400 significantly damaged nationwide.

He confirmed that Wicklow and Wexford were among the worst affected areas, with Wexford County Council allocated over €23 million and Wicklow almost €15 million under the regional and local roads programme.

However, he stressed that discussions on extra funding for storm-related damage are still ongoing.

“The means to address the additional costs to local authorities are under consideration,” he told the Dáil.

He added that the Department of Transport is working with affected councils to assess damage and determine what further support may be required.

The minister also said he would relay the concerns raised by Deputy Brennan back to the department, acknowledging the frustration over delays while stressing that efforts are continuing to reach a resolution.

For now, however, the question of additional funding for full repairs remains unresolved, with damaged roads still affecting communities across the southeast.