As the Deputy is aware, as Minister for Transport I am responsible for overall policy and funding issues relating to the National Roads Programme element of Transport 21. However, the detailed planning, design and implementation of individual national road improvement projects including those carried out by way of Public Private Partnership (PPP), is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act 1993.
Earlier this year the Government reviewed the financing arrangements for Transport 21. Arising from that review it is proposed that a number of national road projects should be undertaken as unitary payment (i.e. non-tolled) PPPs, thus releasing Exchequer funding for a capital contribution towards the Metro North project.