Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Roads Funding.

Brendan Smith

Question:

334 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the need to have increased investment to upgrade routes to facilitate the expected increase in trade, with the consequent increase in cross Border traffic volume, which will arise from the peace settlement in Northern Ireland; the contact, if any, his Department has had with its Northern Ireland counterparts to discuss a joint approach to this issue; whether he will recommend that this issue be considered by the proposed North South bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16166/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

A key aim of national road development policy as set out in the Operational Programme for Transport 1994 to 1999 is to link in with the road network in Northern Ireland so as to provide, over time, a coherent strategic road network for the island as a whole. There has already been extensive contact and co-operation on the part of my Department, the NRA and individual road authorities with the Northern Ireland road authorities. These have ensured that changes in the nature and extent of cross border traffic are factored into the roads planning process.

Strategic transport planning is one of the candidate areas identified for North-South co-operation and implementation by the Multi-Party Agreement of 10 April 1998. My Department and its partner roads agencies will co-operate fully in any intensified North-South action developed on this basis.