Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017
1048. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the east-west link road; his views on whether there is a need for such a vital piece of infrastructure from east to west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46545/17]
View answerAs I explained to the Deputy in my reply to PQ 36252/17, proposals to deliver an upgraded route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo. The latter would involve a route that passes through Northern Ireland. As also indicated previously, the estimated cost of the Dundalk to Cavan section is in excess of €150 million.
Looking ahead to the proposed 10 ten year plan, it would be premature to take a view on the prioritisation of individual schemes. As all capital projects are subject to appraisal in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department’s Capital Appraisal Framework, I do not envisage at this point a set list of projects being included for consideration but instead suitable major and minor road projects being advanced within the overall capital funding envelope, once project appraisal and planning work is satisfactorily completed. In this context there continues to be many competing demands for available resources both within the transport sector and across other economic sectors.
