THE country’s Transport Minister issued a “no comment” response when he was asked to clarify if he will accept a visit to witness Letterkenny’s traffic problems.
Minister Darragh O’Brien has been invited to the town on a number of occasions by politicians to see first-hand the chronic congestion in Donegal’s largest town.
The Donegal News asked Minister O’Brien’s officials this week to respond to the invitations.
We asked if the invitations have been received, if they are under consideration, if the minister hopes or plans to visit Letterkenny, and if he would comment.
A spokesperson on behalf of the minister said: “No comment.”
Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has so far received four invitations to visit to Letterkenny to see the town’s traffic problems.
He added that the maintenance of roads is the responsibility of Donegal County Council which he said recently received “over €46 million” in finances.
In recent days, Cllr Gerry McMonagle claimed the minister must be issued a fifth invitation.
He told a meeting of Letterkenny councillors last Thursday that they needed to “hear from the horse’s mouth”.
Cllr Gerry McMonagle wants Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien to witness traffic congestion in Letterkenny.
The minister’s spokesperson told the Donegal News: “The Department has no comment on the request for a meeting with the minister.”
He added: “The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.
“Works on these roads are funded from council’s own resources and supplemented by State Road grants.
“The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.”
He also said: “On February 17, Minister O’Brien announced an Exchequer investment of €718 million for the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, with approximately 90 per cent of this funding allocated to road maintenance and renewal and the remainder directed towards new roads, bridges, and road realignments.
“This includes over €46 million for Donegal County Council.”
Padraic MacLochlainn TD has twice asked Minister O’Brien to come to Donegal.
Donegal TD Padraig MacLochlainn earlier this year claimed that Minister O’Brien cannot “hide away” from the town’s transport issues.
Deputy MacLochlainn blamed the traffic woes on under-financing by the Government.
He said: “The ongoing traffic crisis in Letterkenny is down to the long delays in receiving the financial support needed from the Government.”
He urged the county’s councillors to “demand that Minister O’ Brien comes to Donegal as requested”.
Deputy MacLochlainn added: “He can’t be allowed to walk away from his responsibilities any longer.”
FITH INVITATION
It is understood that Minister O’Brien has so far received four invitations to visit.
Two have been issued Deputy Mac Lochlainn, while Letterkenny-Milford councillors issued invites last July and last November.
A fifth was agreed last week at the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District meeting, following a motion by Cllr McMonagle.
A council spokesperson said: “A letter was issued to the Minister of Transport, Darragh O’Brien, TD, on November 19, 2025 requesting the minister visit Letterkenny to discuss the ongoing traffic concerns.
“A response was received from the Minister’s Office advising that, due to the Minister’s very busy schedule, a visit to Letterkenny at that time was not possible.
“A further letter will be issued to the Minister requesting again that he visit Letterkenny to discuss the ongoing traffic concerns.”