Road Projects

Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Questions (197)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

197. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if he plans to drop the plan to develop an M50 resilience road in the context of Government plans to reduce traffic emissions (details supplied). [63931/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of this project.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51.

I refer to your recent parliamentary question, Ref. No. 63931/22, to Mr Eamon Ryan TD, Minister for Transport. The position in relation to your enquiry is as follows.

As set out in my correspondence of 21 December 2022, TII understands that it is unlikely that any future N3/N4 link road would be classified as a national road and, therefore, would fall outside of the remit of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) given that TII’s remit in relation to roads relates to national roads only.

In the event that a N3 – N4 road link were to be developed, it would in any case fall under the remit of the National Transport Authority, which has responsibility for road strategy in the Greater Dublin Area.

I trust that this information is of assistance to you.