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Road Projects Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018

Tuesday, 12 June 2018

Questions (88)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

88. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding for the extension of the M3 motorway to Cavan town, the N2 to motorway in County Monaghan and the east-west link will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24501/18]

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Written answers

Proposals to deliver an upgraded east-west 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.

In relation to the national element 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 national road projects within its capital budget is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also the case for the M3 and N2 schemes mentioned by the Deputy.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply in relation national roads.  Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

As regards the regional road aspect of a proposed east-west link, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993.  Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.  

My Department did provide funding to Cavan County Council (acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils) of over €2m in the period 2007-2014 to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design.  At an estimated cost of the order of €150 million, it has not been possible to date to include the East-West Link in capital investment plans. I have, however, made an allocation available this year to allow an updated project appraisal for such a scheme to be prepared.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
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