Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2004
102 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if, in view of the recent announcement of the opening of a new container traffic route from Rotherham to Foynes port, he will increase funding to the transport networks into and out of the port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32029/04]
View answerThe planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the allocation of funding, is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned — in this case Limerick County Council. The local authorities, in their role as statutory road authorities, undertake the detailed planning of individual road projects, taking account of the overall policy on the national roads programme, local development plans and environmental impacts. The recent significant investment in pavement improvement on the N69 route will continue in future years and the Limerick southern ring road phase 2 incorporates an interchange for the N69 which will benefit the Port of Foynes.
The provision of a rail service to or from Foynes is a matter for Iarnród Éireann to consider. At present, the rail line between Limerick and Foynes is being maintained on a care and maintenance basis and no services have run on it for some time due to the absence of traffic. Iarnród Éireann has indicated that this new shipping service between Foynes and Rotterdam may result in the loss of some rail traffic that would be transported via another Irish port and have not identified, so far, any additional traffic offering for transport by rail.
