asked the Minister for Local Government whether he will classify the road from Ballinasloe to Portumna, County Galway, as a main road or secondary national road, as it is the only outlet to County Tipperary and most of the south of Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Road.
32.
The Ballinasloe to Portumna road is already a main road which has been provisionally selected for reclassification as a regional road. My Department are at present in consultation with the road authorities in regard to the roads in their areas to be included in the regional network, and I shall announce my final determination in the matter in due course. As a regional road the road in question would be included in the 20 per cent most important roads in the country.
My question was not entirely complete because I should have said it is the only outlet west of the Shannon. Anyone from Ballinasloe, Tuam or Mountbellew who wishes to go to County Tipperary or the south will have to use this road. The portion from Ballinasloe to Portumna is extremely crooked. The Galway County Council have requested on two occasions that it be made a national primary road.
It is already a main road and it has been provisionally selected for reclassification as a regional road.
Did the Minister say it has been selected for reclassification as a regional road?
It has been provisionally selected for reclassification as a regional road.
If all the roads that have been provisionally allocated as regional roads——
The question relates to the Ballinasloe-Portumna road. The Deputy should not extend the subject matter of the question.
I cannot give a reply on what is a regional road. Perhaps the Deputy might put down a question on the matter.
It is important to know when the decision will be made. This road is an important one and there have been many accidents on it. It is essential that an early decision be made on the matter.
I would point out to the Deputy that the matter was neglected for years but we are doing something about it now.
Can the Minister state whether regional roads have been designated?
That is a separate question.
The words I used were "provisionally selected".
I am calling Question No. 33.