As Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 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.
A decision in relation to when the project is ready to be submitted to An Bord Pleanála is a matter for TII in liaison with Galway County Council. As regards Government approval this is required in the case of projects costing over €100 million and the Department is considering when best to seek this approval taking account of progress made in relation to the project.