The roads in west Kerry are an issue once again. That's hardly surprising when the ambulance service in the area will not use the N86 between Tralee and Dingle when a patient suffering a spinal injury or a fracture has to be transported to hospital.
To do so, says Mr Pat Hanafin, chairman of the Ambulance Association of Ireland, might cause further serious injury. "The road is in such a bad condition that we feel people suffering from fractures or spinal injuries would be in danger of suffering more damage because of its condition. The nature of the terrain is so bad ambulances tend to be tossed around.
"There is no way, we feel, that we could subject patients who are already in pain and suffering to that kind of abuse. The only alternative is to use the Conor Pass route instead," Mr Hanafin said.
Last weekend, the West Kerry Roads Action Group decided to do something about the state of this stretch of road and began a leaflet campaign which will continue throughout the summer as hundreds of thousands of tourists visit west Kerry. The N86 is one of the busiest tourist routes in the State and one of the worst in terms of its condition.
As you drive along, usually slowly because of the potholes and narrowness of the road, breathtaking scenery unfolds. Tourists are happy to snake their way towards their destination, but when they depart, the locals are left with what barely passes for a road. The group plans to enlist the tourists' help in an attempt to embarrass the Government into doing something.
Ms Brigid O'Connor is chairwoman of the group. She says as a last resort it was decided to ask tourists for their opinion on the N86 and other roads in the area as the voices of locals had fallen on deaf ears.
The hope is that once comments from visitors are presented to the relevant authorities, action will be taken. In the meantime, posters will welcome visitors and apologise for the state of the roads. The group is seeking the upgrading of the N86 to European standards with proper drainage, markings and walking and cycling paths. It is demanding this as a basic civil right and says if action is not taken, it will bring its case to Europe.
"The N86 is recognised as one of the busiest roads in Ireland, but two articulated trucks or buses cannot pass on it. We are spending millions promoting the Dingle Peninsula as a major holiday destination yet there is no infrastructure to support the marketing campaign. The time has come for action," Ms O'Connor said.