James McDaid
Ceist:14 Dr. McDaid asked the Minister for the Environment the co-operation, if any, that exists between the national roads authority in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. [17643/95]
Written Answers. - Road Authorities' Co-Operation.
Dermot Ahern
Ceist:92 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment the current position regarding the finalising of a decision between his Department and the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment in connection with the proposed border crossing of the E1 Euro route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18947/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 92 together.
There is a high level of ongoing contact and co-operation between the road authorities here and those in Northern Ireland. This process has been enhanced on foot of the peace process and there have been a number of significant developments in the last 12 months.
A little over 12 months ago, more than 110 cross-Border roads were subject to closure orders and physically impassable. This position has now been substantially reversed following close co-operation by both administrations. These roads are now open to traffic, save for a small number where extensive physical works are required.
In relation to wider aspects of road development, I met my Northern Ireland counterpart, Mr. Malcolm Moss MP, in February last within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Conference. In relation to the Newry-Dundalk route, we agreed a two-stage approach. On foot of this, short-term measures have been developed to improve the safety of the existing road and a report on the steps necessary to implement these is being finalised; immediate and speedy implementation will be pursued. For the longer term, we agreed that a study should be undertaken of route options to meet long-term transportation needs. Following agreement on a brief for this study, advertisements were placed in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 8 November last seeking proposals from interested consultants and a joint application for assistance towards the costs of the study has been lodged with the European Commission.
A Joint Project Board is undertaking a review of plans for the future improvement of the N2/A5 Dublin-Derry Route, taking account of work planned and completed near major towns such as Omagh and Strabane in the North and at Aclint, Bloomfield-Castleblayney, Corlatt, and North Road, Finglas in the South. Good progress has also been made in relation to Aghalane Bridge on the Dublin-Enniskillen-Donegal route; agreement on a new bridge and necessary road works has been reached and work is expected to commence in 1996.
In relation to the European Commission's proposed Trans European Road Networks (TENS), joint co-operation and a common approach has been adopted and, on foot of this, four important cross-Border routes have been included in this network. In addition, the Cork-Dublin-Belfast route has been included in the group of first priority projects identified in the conclusions of the European Summit in Essen in December 1994.