Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2016
584. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the trilogy of roads projects in the greater Naas area in County Kildare, specifically the Sallins bypass, widening the M7 to three lanes and the new motorway interchange at Osberstown; the status, progress and timeline for these projects for design, construction and delivery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15918/16]
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 the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with Kildare County Council. 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.
As regards regional and local roads, responsibility for implementation of improvement projects rests with the relevant local authority which is Kildare County Council in this instance.
As you are aware the transport element of the Capital Plan provides that work will commence on several roads projects which are targeted at removing critical bottlenecks or upgrading inadequate sections of road, including the M7 widening and the Sallins Bypass. Kildare County Council is responsible for the construction of the Osberstown Interchange.
In view of the lead role of TII, in conjunction with Kildare County Council, in relation to these projects I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. If a reply is not received within 10 working days please contact my office.
