Vol. 525 No. 2
718 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the way in which the National Roads Authority is accountable or responsible to the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24848/00]
Under section 17 of the Roads Act, 1993, the National Roads Authority has overall responsibility for the planning and supervision of works for the construction and maintenance of national roads. The Minister for the Environment and Local Government appoints the members of the authority, is responsible for the payment of block grants to the authority, certain broad policy matters, and performs quasi-judicial functions such as the approval of motorway schemes and road developments the subject of environmental impact statements. Under the Planning and Development Act, 2000, the above quasi-judicial functions will transfer to An Bord Pleanála.
The policy framework for the improvement of national roads is set out in the National Development Plan 2000-06, together with the Community Support Framework and the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme. Within this framework, it is a matter for the NRA to prioritise and schedule individual road improvement projects and to progress them in co-operation with local authorities. 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 allocation of funds for individual projects.
The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructural Development has been established to provide high level oversight and assistance in relation to delivery of the NDP. In this connection, the committee receives periodic briefings from NRA, among other implementing bodies.
Question No. 719 taken with Question No. 680.
