Vol. 407 No. 9
27 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the recent claim by the Automobile Association that it will take 25 years to modernise Ireland's national road network at the current level of investment; if he has any plans to speed up this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I was not aware of the claim mentioned and, in any case, I am satisfied that it is inaccurate.
The programme of road improvement works now being carried out on national roads is the most ambitious ever undertaken in the history of the State. In effect, the programme contains a strategic plan for the development of roads, as part of an integrated approach to transport development. To ensure that this plan will be carried through effectively, I have just published a comprehensive Roads Bill which will modernise roads law generally and set up the National Roads Authority on a full statutory basis.
Expenditure on improvement works on national roads has increased steadily from £82.92 million in 1988 to £140 million this year, with further increases projected in 1992 and 1993 under the operational programme. With investment increasing like this, I am confident that the main deficiencies in the network of national roads will be remedied within ten to 15 years.
