Vol. 506 No. 5
192 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to speed up the time it takes from conception to commencement of construc tion of national road projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16021/99]
It is widely acknowledged that significant additional investment is required in the national road network; this matter is being addressed in the context of the National Development Plan for the period 2000-2006.
In the light of these investment needs, it is also important that the process of planning major road projects operates as efficiently and effectively as possible. Primary responsibility for the planning and implementation of improvement works on national roads lies with the National Roads Authority and I am aware that the authority is working urgently to reduce the time taken to bring projects to the construction stage. Proposals relating, inter alia, to the legislative framework governing the planning of major road projects will be included in the forthcoming Bill to reform and consolidate planning law.
193 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has to police the spending on the national roads programme following the publication of the value for money report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on national roads expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16022/99]
The Comptroller and Auditor General has recently completed a value for money examination, under the Comptroller and Auditor General Act, 1993, on the development of the national road network by the National Roads Authority; the report has been laid before the House.
The report, inter alia, acknowledges the strengthening which has taken place of the processes for the strategic management of national road development, the significant improvements which have been made to the national road network over the past decade, and the measures taken to improve systems for cost estimation-control. It also identifies areas in the planning and implementation of national road projects where it is considered further improvements can be made by NRA and local authorities. The report is being considered by NRA and, where appropriate, additional measures will be developed with a view to enhancing the value for money realised from investment in national roads.
My Department and NRA will be responding in detail to the report when it comes to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts.
