Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Roads Projects.

Olivia Mitchell

Question:

735 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if EU funding is committed to the Kilcock-Oranmore road project; if EU rules allow for the kind of project splitting as is happening to facilitate private provision of the Kilcock to Kinnegad section; if EU funding will be used to part-fund the tolled section; and if he has satisfied himself that the public hearing in respect of the tolling scheme is in accordance with EU regulation. [22213/01]

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

It is intended that European Regional Development Fund aid will be applied towards the cost of upgrading of the N4-N6 national primary route between Kinnegad and Athlone, between Ballinasloe and Athlone, the preliminary planning and design of the section between Oranmore and Ballinasloe and the Galway outer bypass. It is not proposed at this stage, however, to apply European Regional Development Fund aid towards the cost of the section between Kilcock and Kinnegad. The detailed programming of the projects for the development of the national roads including the N4-N6 is not the subject of EU rules and is a matter for the National Roads Authority in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.

There are no EU requirements as regards public hearings connected with tolling schemes. The statutory procedures which apply to tolling schemes are set out in the Roads Act 1993 as amended. It is a matter for the NRA to comply with those provisions, which include a requirement for the NRA to engage in an extensive consultation process before deciding on a toll scheme and to hold an oral hearing into any objections to a proposed scheme.