As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Act 1993, as amended, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Under section 50 of the Roads Act 1993, either a road authority or Transport Infrastructure Ireland must prepare a statement of the likely effects on the environment of certain road developments, which would include the N59 Oughterard to Maam Cross project. This in turn reflects EU legislation.
Under section 51 of the Roads Act 1993, the road authority concerned or Transport Infrastructure Ireland must apply to An Bord Pleanála for approval of such road developments and must submit the environmental impact statements prepared in respect of the developments to An Bord Pleanála. Any such road developments must not be carried out unless An Bord Pleanála has by order approved them or approved them with modifications. An Bord Pleanála may also refuse to approve such developments.
An Bord Pleanála is responsible for giving planning approval for such road developments and I have no function in the matter.
Accordingly, the implementation of the N59 Oughterard to Maam Cross project is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Galway County Council. Galway County Council is working closely with National Parks and Wildlife Service (part of the Heritage Division of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht) on the development of the N59 Oughterard to Maam Cross Scheme. This involves the agreement of numerous Method Statements for each stage of the scheme, in accordance with the planning approval for the scheme. The development and agreement of the method statements is a time consuming process which is reflective of the environmental risks associated with developing new infrastructure through this uniquely sensitive area.
