Vol. 471 No. 5
34 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for the Environment if he will present a progress report on the National Roads Programme to Dáil Éireann on an annual basis; if so, when such a report will be made available in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21132/96]
49 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Environment the role, if any, he plays in monitoring the spending of public money on the national primary routes, particularly where funds are often expended in improving straight stretches of road rather than tackling the poorer stretches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21133/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 49 together.
The National Roads Authority is required under the Roads Act, 1993, to submit an annual report on the performance of its functions and copies are required to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas. The report for the year ending 31 December 1995 was placed in the Oireachtas Library on 26 July last. A copy of the 1995 Annual Report of the Monitoring Committee established to oversee implementation of the Operational Programme for Transport, 1994-1999, has been placed in the Library this week.
The Minister's powers under the Roads Act in relation to the NRA and national roads are limited to certain broad policy, financial and quasi-judicial functions. The Minister has no function in relation to the day to day administration and management of the work programme on national roads or in relation to the selection of individual projects for funding in any particular year. Individual projects are carried out by the local authorities concerned under the general supervision of the Authority.
