As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects, such as the Galway City Outer Bypass is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
The Galway Outer City Bypass project was identified in the Government's July 2012 Infrastructure Stimulus project as a future priority project.
I understand from the National Roads Authority that the preliminary scheme appraisal for the Bypass is now completed and route selection has been advanced. It is anticipated that the scheme should be ready for submission to An Bord Pleanála by the end of 2015.