Trevor Sargent
Question:467 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport the Department that has responsibility for bridges over the river Shannon in view of the Foynes Port Company’s plans in this regard. [26211/06]
View answerTuesday, 4 July 2006
Questions (456)
Written answers
I am not aware that the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has any responsibilities with regard to bridges over the river Shannon. Similarly I am not aware of any plans that Shannon Foynes Port Company has in regard to bridges over the river Shannon.
Overall responsibility for the planning, design and implementation of any national road projects that cross the river Shannon is a matter for the National Roads Authority and the relevant local authority. Non-national roads fall under the remit of the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the relevant local authority.
Section 15A of the Roads Act 1993, as inserted by Section 245 of the Local Government Act 2001, states that ‘a road authority shall not construct or reconstruct a bridge or viaduct over, or a tunnel under.... any inland waterway within the meaning of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and Islands (Powers and Functions) Act, 1998 or any navigable water, save with the consent of the Minster for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.' This consent function now resides with the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.