Danny Healy-Rae
Question:246. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will review an unfair rule (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29162/16]
View answerThursday, 6 October 2016
Questions (246)
Written answers
I understand that the Deputy may be referring to the Spatial Planning and National Roads Guidelines 2012 issued by the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála are required to have regard in the performance of their functions to guidelines issued under this section of the Planning and Development Act. These Guidelines were, I understand, prepared by the then Department of Environment, Community and Local Government in consultation with local authorities, my Department and the National Roads Authority.
The guidelines are aimed at aligning road planning and policy and development planning. The Guidelines indicate that development plans and local area plans should include policies aimed at maintaining the safety and capacity of national roads by avoiding the creation of additional access points and the generation of additional traffic from existing access points on roads where a speed limit greater than 50 kmh applies.
The guidelines also indicate that, in certain circumstances, planning authorities may identify stretches of national secondary roads where a less restrictive approach may be applied as part of the process of reviewing or varying the relevant development plan.
I am not aware of any proposal to revise the guidelines at present.