Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 May 1994

Vol. 443 No. 1

Written Answers. - National Roads Authority.

Enda Kenny

Question:

77 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment the date upon which the National Roads Authority assumed responsibility for national primary and national secondary roads; if it is the responsibility of the National Roads Authority to deal with all aspects of national route development and upgrading to national route status; if he will reiterate the criteria in terms of reference given to the National Roads Authority upon assuming such responsibilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. M. Smith)

The National Roads Authority was established on 23 December, 1993 and took over responsibility for the development of the national road network with effect from 1 January, 1994.

Part III of the Roads Act, 1993 details the statutory functions of the National Roads Authority. In my speech to the first meeting of the Authority on 19 January 1994. I provided some broad guidance on the implementation of those functions. A copy of that speech has been placed in the Oireachtas Library.

Under section 10 of the Roads Act, 1993, the making of orders classifying roads as national roads remains a function of the Minister for the Environment subject to prior consultation with the authority.