As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and securing Exchequer funding for the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, and in line with the national development plan, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. TII ultimately delivers the national roads programme in line with Project Ireland 2040, the national planning framework and the national development plan.
Within the overall context of Project Ireland 2040, the national development plan was developed to underpin the successful implementation of the national planning framework. This provides the strategic and financial framework for the national roads programme for the period from 2018 to 2027. The focus of TII's activities over the coming years is, accordingly, being directed towards the development of the major national road improvement schemes that are included in the national development plan, along with the maintenance of the existing national road network.
The proposed N25 Castlemartyr bypass was not included among the projects identified for development during the period of the current national development plan. However, it should be noted that as part of the national development plan review under the programme for Government commitments, my Department, in conjunction with TII, is assessing all roads projects.
The review of the national development plan will be consistent with the ambition of the programme for Government. The updated national development plan will be aligned with the national planning framework, which recognises the crucial importance of balanced regional development, clustered and compact growth, and improved connectivity to deliver economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. I take this opportunity to highlight that all projects, including those listed in the National Development Plan 2018-2027, or any revision to the national development plan, require statutory approval and compliance with the public spending code.
Even though it is not in the NDP, one proposed project involves a bypass of Castlemartyr village on the N25 and provides a strategic link between the south east and the south west. Cork County Council, which is the road authority for the area, is progressing a feasibility study of scheme options for this project. This will examine the possibility of providing a relief road for the N25 through-traffic around the village of Castlemartyr.