Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae has criticised the ongoing roadworks in Fossa, raising serious concerns about the safety of the new layout and the value for money being achieved.

Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday, Deputy Healy-Rae told the Taoiseach that the carriageway has been significantly narrowed as part of "active travel" works, reducing it to 20 feet while widening footpaths, cycleways, and grass margins. He stated that locals are "very upset and concerned," with videos showing buses having to pull in their mirrors to pass each other.

"People are very upset and concerned about the value for money," Deputy Healy-Rae said. "I ask that until some review, investigation or assessment is done and people are sure of what is happening, no more of this kind of work be carried out."

He highlighted that this stretch of road, between the Golden Nugget and the Gap Cross on the Ring of Kerry route, is heavily used by tourists, buses, and locals alike.

He pointed out the irony that this was previously the widest part of the road, while efforts are being made to widen other sections. "Tractors, agricultural vehicles and hauliers cannot pass each other anymore," he added.

Deputy Healy-Rae also expressed concerns about proposed similar works on the N22 from the Cork side into Killarney, including the removal of Daly's roundabout and further narrowing of the road. He called for a "proper assessment and review of value for money" before such works proceed.

In response, the Taoiseach acknowledged Deputy Healy-Rae's local knowledge and stated that the Fossa project is likely a National Transport Authority (NTA) initiative.

He agreed that there should be a thorough evaluation of the value-for-money aspects of such projects and clarity on the objectives, especially when road narrowing can create difficulties for all road users.

Deputy Healy-Rae's concerns echo those raised at Wednesday’s Killarney Municipal District Meeting last week, where Councillors Brendan Cronin and Maura Healy-Rae questioned the safety of the narrowed lanes for large vehicles like HGVs, buses, and agricultural machinery. Cllr. Cronin asked if the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) engineers who designed the layout would take responsibility for accidents involving these vehicles, given numerous public complaints.

While Kerry County Council stated that the road design aligns with legal markings and that drivers are responsible for adhering to the Rules of the Road, Cllr. Healy-Rae also sought assurances that large vehicles could pass safely on the reduced carriageway. Council officials maintained that the project, aimed at traffic calming and enhancing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, was designed according to relevant standards and approved by TII, who are funding it under safety allocations.