Sean O'Neill from the National Roads Authority

Einhard · 23-12-2010 12:40AM

ejmaztec wrote: »

Is that the old NRA or the new NRA?

It's the Provisional NRA. They're gonna merge with the Continuity NRA, and become the Real NRA. Apparently they're big on the merits of wearing balaclavas whilst driving to keep out the winter chill.

Rabble Rabble · 23-12-2010 12:47AM

stupidusername wrote: »

what are you talking about? I assume you mean houses, as in the ones that aren't part of estates?? none of those roads ever get gritted. none of the roads near where I live have been gritted as of yet. same as last year. and there are some fairly bad bends on hills around these parts. very dangerous not to have gritted.

And the NRA doesn't do regional routes.

Manic Moran · 23-12-2010 12:55AM

take everything wrote: »

Well secondly means secondly (as in the second point) and secondarily means secondarily (as in of secondary importance).
Unless he was using it wrongly.

The man got there before me.

He very well may have been correct to use 'secondarily'. With a full transcript we might be able to determine.

NTM

Dempo1 · 23-12-2010 01:01AM

Slideshowbob wrote: »

That yankee accented spoofer gets on my wick

On a radio interview this evening I heard him use the word "secondarily" !!

What's that about - couldn't he just say "secondly"????

Proof of a spoofer !!!

At last someone who agrees with me, this Prick actually annoys me to such an extent i switch the channel when i see his smug face come up on the screen. Apparently "they as in the NRA" got lucky today with an early arrival of salt. Who is this buffoon trying to kid, the dogs in the street know the NRA ****ed up again, has he or anyone at the NRA Seen the state of our roads.

As for the accent, OMG its beyond irritating, if i hear townage (Tonnage) one more time, I'll scream. Does the NRA not understand, spokespeople are supposed to reassure and explain their organizations actions/policies? this guy actually manages to annoy people!:mad:

oppenheimer1 · 23-12-2010 01:42AM

Dempo1 wrote: »

At last someone who agrees with me, this Prick actually annoys me to such an extent i switch the channel when i see his smug face come up on the screen. Apparently "they as in the NRA" got lucky today with an early arrival of salt. Who is this buffoon trying to kid, the dogs in the street know the NRA ****ed up again, has he or anyone at the NRA Seen the state of our roads.

As for the accent, OMG its beyond irritating, if i hear townage (Tonnage) one more time, I'll scream. Does the NRA not understand, spokespeople are supposed to reassure and explain their organizations actions/policies? this guy actually manages to annoy people!:mad:

****ed up? I think you're being unreasonable in your expectations. The NRA normally use 60,000 tonnes of grit/salt per winter. This winter they used 75000 up to last week and we're only half way through at best. In addition grit is ineffective against snow. When it snows the roads need to be ploughed. We do not have enough snow ploughs as it rarely snows to the extent that it has in this country.

If people have a problem with snow and ice then they should buy winter tyres. People need to man up and its time to take some personal fucking responsibility for a change.

Dempo1 · 23-12-2010 01:56AM

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

****ed up? I think you're being unreasonable in your expectations. The NRA normally use 60,000 tonnes of grit/salt per winter. This winter they used 75000 up to last week and we're only half way through at best. In addition grit is ineffective against snow. When it snows the roads need to be ploughed. We do not have enough snow ploughs as it rarely snows to the extent that it has in this country.

If people have a problem with snow and ice then they should buy winter tyres. People need to man up and its time to take some personal fucking responsibility for a change.

With all due respect, Ploughs won't make a slight bit of ****ing difference to the secondary roads that are and have been covered in compacted ice for the past two weeks or for that matter the previous fall. Its a complete disgrace and the local authorities are very quick to point out there is and has not been enough salt.

As for the tonnage saga, it is the very buffoon who has been admitting shortages whilst continually informing the nation, more is on the way, the only problem? the dates kept changing. He actually had the neck to tell us today "we got lucky" with an earlier delivery than expected but of course enough based on his own figures for a week or so. FFS were not even in January yet (does anyone remember last Jan/Feb?)

Take some ****ing personal responsibility? I ****ing well do by way of paying my taxes and trying to get to work daily without killing myself on the roads, roads that should be treated daily! The NRA and its spokesperson (who reminds me of Billy Bunter) are a complete Joke!:mad:

Star Bingo · 23-12-2010 02:03AM

hi i'm Shaaaawn *shrugs* ..

oppenheimer1 · 23-12-2010 02:20AM

Dempo1 wrote: »

With all due respect, Ploughs won't make a slight bit of ****ing difference to the secondary roads that are and have been covered in compacted ice for the past two weeks or for that matter the previous fall. Its a complete disgrace and the local authorities are very quick to point out there is and has not been enough salt.

As for the tonnage saga, it is the very buffoon who has been admitting shortages whilst continually informing the nation, more is on the way, the only problem? the dates kept changing. He actually had the neck to tell us today "we got lucky" with an earlier delivery than expected but of course enough based on his own figures for a week or so. FFS were not even in January yet (does anyone remember last Jan/Feb?)

Take some ****ing personal responsibility? I ****ing well do by way of paying my taxes and trying to get to work daily without killing myself on the roads, roads that should be treated daily! The NRA and its spokesperson (who reminds me of Billy Bunter) are a complete Joke!:mad:

And with all due respect its above posts that let us know you do not know what you are talking about. If we had snow ploughs the snow that fell wouldn't have had the chance to get compacted. The way snow covered roads should be treated is first ploughed then de-iced with salt. Salt/grit on snow alone is ineffective, try it for yourself.

Whats wrong with him telling us that there is salt shortages? As far as I'm aware its true. Its also true that the NRA is awaiting a shipment of salt and that moaning about the PR guy is not going to make the ship arrive any sooner. If a storm holds up the ship, there is little the NRA can do.

In a typical year we use 60,000 tonnes of salt. This winter we have used 75,000 up to last week already. The people in the NRA cannot predict the future, they rely on the same weather forecasts as us. No one knew during the summer that the winter was going to be so harsh when the salt was being stockpiled. They bought more than ever before last Summer though.

We all pay taxes but most reasonable people would be annoyed to see their money wasted buying equipment, such as snow ploughs for events that rarely happen. We do not get snow like this every year, or every decade for that matter. The last time it was this bad was the mid 80's. So yes it is up to you to take some personal responsibility. Buy winter tyres to negotiate the secondary and back roads and boreens that this country is littered with, if you need to go down them.

Dempo1 · 23-12-2010 02:30AM

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

And with all due respect its above posts that let us know you do not know what you are talking about. If we had snow ploughs the snow that fell wouldn't have had the chance to get compacted. The way snow covered roads should be treated is first ploughed then de-iced with salt. Salt/grit on snow alone is ineffective, try it for yourself.

Whats wrong with him telling us that there is salt shortages? As far as I'm aware its true. Its also true that the NRA is awaiting a shipment of salt and that moaning about the PR guy is not going to make the ship arrive any sooner. If a storm holds up the ship, there is little the NRA can do.

In a typical year we use 60,000 tonnes of salt. This winter we have used 75,000 up to last week already. The people in the NRA cannot predict the future, they rely on the same weather forecasts as us. No one knew during the summer that the winter was going to be so harsh when the salt was being stockpiled. They bought more than ever before last Summer though.

We all pay taxes but most reasonable people would be annoyed to see their money wasted buying equipment, such as snow ploughs for events that rarely happen. We do not get snow like this every year, or every decade for that matter. The last time it was this bad was the mid 80's. So yes it is up to you to take some personal responsibility. Buy winter tyres to negotiate the secondary and back roads and boreens that this country is littered with, if you need to go down them.

Clearly you have not being listening to Yawwwwn o Neill's words of wisdom, you are also clearly not living near or dependent on the secondary road network, I would love to know how the **** you would get a ploughs up some of these road. The real problem is not SNOWFALL, its the fact it has fallen and has been compacted onto roads, essentially forming a layer of ice, ploughs would make **** all of a difference as would Grit!

As for winter tyres, clearly you have not a clue what you are talking about, not only have i lived and worked in the states and used snow tyres, they would be a useful as a three legged hamster on our roads, indeed Conor Faughnan of the AA, another Arse hole has stated this on numerous occasions.

Anyway i do live in the real world and can see for myself the mess the NRA have made of this situation, not helped by that prat trying to cover up his and theirs incompetence!

oppenheimer1 · 23-12-2010 02:41AM

Dempo1 wrote: »

Clearly you have not being listening to Yawwwwn o Neill's words of wisdom, you are also clearly not living near or dependent on the secondary road network, I would love to know how the **** you would get a ploughs up some of these road. The real problem is not SNOWFALL, its the fact it has fallen and has been compacted onto roads, essentially forming a layer of ice, ploughs would make **** all of a difference as would Grit!

As for winter tyres, clearly you have not a clue what you are talking about, not only have i lived and worked in the states and used snow tyres, they would be a useful as a three legged hamster on our roads, indeed Conor Faughnan of the AA, another Arse hole has stated this on numerous occasions.

Anyway i do live in the real world and can see for myself the mess the NRA have made of this situation, not helped by that prat trying to cover up his and theirs incompetence!

And clearly you have not read what I wrote. Roads need to be cleared with snow ploughs before traffic drives on them ie. before it gets compacted. If you are not going to read what I wrote, then there is little point arguing with you.

When people choose to live in the countryside in their one off houses, they have to accept that in extreme snow events, the country doesn't have the resources to clear their road.

You're failing to comprehend that this is an exceptional weather event. We do not normally get these levels of snow. It is unreasonable to expect the NRA to have the resources to deal with an exceptional country wide weather event.

And if winter tyres aren't good enough for your situation, what about snow chains or studded tyres? Or is it you don't want to pay for them because you'd get little use out of them... just like the NRA and it buying de-icing exuipment it will rarely - if ever- use?

donkey balls · 23-12-2010 03:25AM

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

Nobody is complaining? Well perhaps I'm imagining the gombeen councillors on RTE complaining that their little village hasn't been salted? Might I remind you that the cold weather started in the middle of November almost a month and a half earlier than normal. We are now almost 6 weeks into the cold spell, which is the normal duration of the Irish winter in its entirety. The ability of the NRA to hold salt stocks is not unlimited. It cannot be kept outdoors, it would dissolve and any salt that is left would cake up. The NRA hasn't the ability to magically make salt appear either. In case you haven't noticed there is also a severe winter in the UK and on the continent so its not just us looking for salt.

Two inches of snow? What do you want the NRA to do? Go out and buy snow ploughs that might not be used for 15 years? What would be easier to do is legislate that all cars must use winter tyres from between December and January. If people used the proper equipment they wouldn't be suffering half as much

eh no salt can be stored both indoors&outdoors countires like the US&UK store salt in bioh ways,The salt just needs to be elevated off the ground and a tarp covering it from the elements.
It's not big money to do then again the clowns in the NRA would probely f**k it up afaik snow chains are ilegal to use here.
http://www.saltinstitute.org/Uses-benefits/Winter-road-safety/Salt-storage

Dempo1 · 23-12-2010 11:04AM

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

And clearly you have not read what I wrote. Roads need to be cleared with snow ploughs before traffic drives on them ie. before it gets compacted. If you are not going to read what I wrote, then there is little point arguing with you.

When people choose to live in the countryside in their one off houses, they have to accept that in extreme snow events, the country doesn't have the resources to clear their road.

You're failing to comprehend that this is an exceptional weather event. We do not normally get these levels of snow. It is unreasonable to expect the NRA to have the resources to deal with an exceptional country wide weather event.

And if winter tyres aren't good enough for your situation, what about snow chains or studded tyres? Or is it you don't want to pay for them because you'd get little use out of them... just like the NRA and it buying de-icing equipment it will rarely - if ever- use?

Clearly we will disagree on this subject but i must comment on your assertions about one off housing which is unfair.

I am Dublin Born and proud of it but like so many others in the mid nineties, i had little choice to look further afield when considering my first and i might had current humble cottage in Laois. Despite my rural location, my house looks onto one of Laois and Offaly's main roads which links Portlaoise, Birr and Tullamore. Not once has it been gritted or treated with salt. Currently it could be used as a Skating rink. A large number of accidents have occurred and as for taking responsibility, i along with my neighbors take the time to spread sand and gravel at local junctions.

Whilst the idea of chains, winter tyres is novel, it would be impractical as one would be required to remove same when reaching the main roads which have been treated.

Whilst i have commended the NRA for some excellent new roads with the exception of the M.50 Cock up (i can now reach new lands cross in 45 minutes, which used to take almost 2 hours in the bad old days of the N7), I feel i am justified in critising this organization for not adequately supplying local authorities with sufficient amounts of salt. Hopefully it will learn from this years mistakes.

Son Of A Vidic · 23-12-2010 11:06AM

Einhard wrote: »

It's the Provisional NRA. They're gonna merge with the Continuity NRA, and become the Real NRA. Apparently they're big on the merits of wearing balaclavas whilst driving to keep out the winter chill.

Ya and wait until the I-NRA appear on the scene.

take everything · 23-12-2010 11:51AM

Manic Moran wrote: »

The man got there before me.

He very well may have been correct to use 'secondarily'. With a full transcript we might be able to determine.

NTM

I love the way the point went (otherwise) unacknowledged.
They just continue ****eing on regardless.

Sonnenblumen · 23-12-2010 12:49PM

oppenheimer1 wrote: »

If people have a problem with snow and ice then they should buy winter tyres. People need to man up and its time to take some personal fucking responsibility for a change.

Oh I am so sorry, if only I had winter tyres, I feel so irresponsible.

PK2008 · 23-12-2010 12:58PM

First you get the salt

....then you get the power

.....then you get the women

Noopti · 23-12-2010 01:13PM

I seem to remember G. Hook talking about him, and I think he is Irish but lived in Boston for a while. Could be mistaken, but who the f*ck care about his accent anyway, or where he is from. If anything I prefer a few "foreigners" running our organisations rather than the corrupt Irish gombeens we have right now.

baalthor · 23-12-2010 02:32PM

Noopti wrote: »

I seem to remember G. Hook talking about him, and I think he is Irish but lived in Boston for a while. Could be mistaken, but who the f*ck care about his accent anyway, or where he is from. If anything I prefer a few "foreigners" running our organisations rather than the corrupt Irish gombeens we have right now.

He worked for the Massachussets toll road system.

Dionysus · 23-12-2010 02:43PM

Noopti wrote: »

If anything I prefer a few "foreigners" running our organisations rather than the corrupt Irish gombeens we have right now.

Personally, as tempting as this reaction is I'd keep a check on that sentiment.

Sean O'Neill from the National Roads Authority

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