Vol. 457 No. 1
115 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Environment if his Department monitors the work of the National Roads Authority, particularly in relation to stated completion dates of contracts; if so, if he has satisfied himself with the accuracy of such conclusions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15042/95]
The National Roads Authority is an independent statutory body with overall responsibility for ensuring the provision of a safe and efficient network of national roads, including prioritisation of projects and the allocation of grants to individual projects. The authority is required under the Roads Act, 1993, to submit an annual report to me on the performance of its functions and copies of this are laid before each House of the Oireachtas. In addition, I am entitled under the Roads Act to obtain such information as I may require in relation to the performance by the authority of its functions.
Apart from this, my powers under the Roads Act are limited to certain broad policy, financial and quasi-judician functions. I have no function in relation to the day to day administration and management of the work programme on national roads or in relation to the supervision of individual projects. These projects are still carried out by the local authorities concerned under the general supervision of the authority.
