Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2016
782. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the key radial routes for development that are being prioritised from the existing motorway network, to ensure that communities isolated by inadequate national primary roads have direct access to ports and airports as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23432/16]
View answerThe Capital Plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. I understand that the transport element of the plan was framed by the conclusions reached in my Department's Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with targeted investments to address particular bottlenecks and critical safety issues. The Capital Plan provides €6 billion for investment in the roads network in the period to 2022, with €4.4 billion earmarked for the maintenance and strengthening of the existing extensive network throughout the country and €1.6 billion for new projects including PPP schemes.
Examples of key radial routes included in the Plan are the M7 Naas to Newbridge Bypass Widening, the N8/N25 Dunkettle Interchange, the N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin scheme, a new bridge and approach roads over the Garavogue River in Sligo and subject to appropriate approvals, the N69 Shannon to Foynes and the N28 Cork to Ringaskiddy scheme, among others. In addition, over the lifetime of the Plan, three major projects PPP projects will be delivered, namely the N17/18 Gort to Tuam, the M11 Gorey to Enniscorthy and the N25 New Ross By-Pass.
As part of the Programme for Partnership Government there is an increased emphasis on the need for spending on public services but the Government still has to operate within the EU fiscal rules. There will be a Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan and this will provide an opportunity to assess progress and consider what scope there is for increased levels of investment depending on economic growth.
