Liz McManus
Question:72 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Environment the reason the Local Government Act, 1953, was enacted; the circumstances in which it was enacted; and the total mileage of roads taken over since this Act was enacted.
Written Answers. - Local Government Act, 1953.
The Local Government Act, 1953 broadened the criteria governing the declaration of public roads as previously set out under section 25 of the Local Government Act, 1925. However, both the Local Government Act, 1953 and section 25 of the Local Government Act, 1925 have, since been repealed by the Roads Act, 1993. The power to declare public roads is now contained in section 11 of the Roads Act, 1993 and is a function reserved to the elected members of local authorities. While I have no information as to the mileage of roads taken in charge, using the powers contained in the Local Government Act, 1953, the total mileage of public roads in the State increased from 50,213 miles in 1954 to 55,306 miles in 1977, the last time a complete roads inventory was taken.