Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 April 2016
147. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed bypasses for Macroom and Ballyvourney, County Cork, to ensure proper access between counties Cork and Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7845/16]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII, formerly known as the National Roads Authority) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
At present TII is assessing how best to progress national projects included in the 7 year transport element of the Capital Plan, including the upgrade of the N22 between Ballyvourney and Macroom, taking into account annual budget allocations. The timeframe for progressing individual projects will be decided once that process is completed. In the interim I understand TII has allocated a total of €3.8m to the Ballyvourney to Macroom scheme in 2016 which will facilitate land acquisition for the project.
