Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 1

Written Answers. - Road Network.

John Gormley

Ceist:

41 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the contact he has had with local authorities in relation to the road openings Bill; the reason for the delays in introducing this Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31085/01]

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

128 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the views of the Dublin director of traffic (details supplied) in relation to repairing and reinstating the road network in the Dublin area arising from road openings by telecommunications operators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31205/01]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 128 together.

The Communications (Regulations) Bill prepared by the Department of Public Enterprise proposes, inter alia, to modernise legislation in relation to road openings by telecommunications operators. The Bill is being drafted by the office of the parliamentary counsel to the Government following the approval of the general scheme of the Bill by the Government.

My Department is in communication with the Department of Public Enterprise with a view to ensuring that the regulatory framework that will apply to telecommunications operators will afford appropriate and updated powers to road authorities to regulate road openings in the public interest while recognising the benefits of further investment in telecommunications infrastructure. I am also considering undertaking a wider updating of legislation to deal with this important mat ter. I have not had contact with local authorities in this regard.

Meanwhile, a utilities and statutory bodies work group, chaired by the Dublin Transportation Office which was established earlier this year, is working towards standardising the approach to road openings through agreed codes of practice. I am aware of the views of Dublin Corporation's director of traffic in relation to the control of road openings.