Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 1991

Vol. 404 No. 4

Written Answers. - Operational Programme on Peripherality.

Donal Carey

Question:

327 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the balanced transport investment strategy which is included in the operational programme on peripherality so that exporters from the West and Mid-West can compete on the mainland by shipping through Rosslare, County Wexford; and the annual amounts to be spent on the route from Galway to Wexford via Limerick port for the duration of the plan.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

Rosslare is only one of four major commercial seaports selected for major investment under the operational programme on peripherality — the others being Dublin, Waterford and Cork. In addition, investment in a number of other ports, including Limerick, Galway and Foynes, will be assisted under the programme.

The road investment strategy outlined in the programme is designed as far as possible to improve, as resources permit, the roads providing access to these ports and to selected airports. Immediate priority is being given to the development of four strategic sections of national primary roads. The improvement of the N4, Dublin to Kinnegad and N7, Portlaoise to Dublin, will facilitate access to Dublin Port from the West and Mid-West, while works on the N11 and N25 will improve overall access to Rosslare. The reasons for the selection of these routes are set out in paragraph 3.12 of the programme. Improvement works on the remaining national primary roads will in the short term concentrate on routes which are deficient on capacity grounds. In addition, there will be investment in rail freight gantries at Limerick and Sligo which will help improve rail freight access to ports from the West and Mid-West.

In 1990, £2.5 million was spent on the improvement of the N18, Galway to Limerick, £0.213 million on the N24, Limerick to Waterford and £5.14 million on the N25 to Rosslare. The amount to be spent on these roads in the remaining years of the programme will be determined in the annual allocation of State grants for national roads.