Vol. 488 No. 3
11 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether the road system in Ireland is capable of handling the huge increase in motor vehicles; his views on whether a massive programme for the building of dual carriageways, flyovers and tunnels is necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5966/98]
Growth in road traffic volumes, which has been closely following economic performance, presents an obvious challenge for sustainable development in Ireland. Policy responses must be based on an integrated approach to transport requirements. This involves increased investment in road infrastructure, but also improvement of public transport, management of road transport demand, promotion of alternative transport modes and better co-ordination of transport and land use planning. These matters are being addressed through the Operational Programme for Transport 1994-99 and in urban transport initiatives such as the DTI and will be increasingly relevant to transport policy in the years ahead.
Investment in the construction and improvement of national roads is being accelerated in 1998, with some £263 million available for the programme; this is the highest ever allocation for national roads and an increase of more than 13 per cent on the 1997 provision. I understand new projects to start this year under the NRA programme will include the Kildare bypass; the Nenagh bypass; Hurlers Cross-Newmarket-on-Fergus; the M50 southern cross route; and the Blackpool bypass.
Looking to the future, a national roads needs study, which is soon to be completed, will provide a comprehensive assessment of the work required to complete the national road network. It will form an important input to negotiations on EU funding post-1999 and to policy development in relation to national roads generally.
As regards non-national roads, it is a major priority of the Government to ensure completion of the restoration programme, within the originally established ten year timeframe, ending in 2005. To this end, I have provided a record £200 million in non-national road grants in 1998, an increase of nearly 18 per cent on the original 1997 allocation. This provision will enable county councils to progress all their restoration improvement schemes envisaged for 1998, according to schedules established by them in 1997, and on average almost 90 per cent of 1999 schemes.
