As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
The scale of the reductions in the allocations to the NRA under the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Framework 2012-2016 means that I do not expect any major new projects directly funded by the Exchequer to commence construction in next few years. The key priority is the protection of the existing investment in road infrastructure as against major new expenditure on road building.
As the detailed information sought by the Deputy in relation to the current status of planning and design work on this project is a matter for the NRA I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
