Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1402. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will expedite the east-west link as an important part of infrastructure for east Cavan and the Border region as a matter or urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36252/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I explained to the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 34 of 8 February 2017, proposals to deliver an upgraded route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo. The latter would involve a route that passes through Northern Ireland.
In relation to the national element 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 under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
As regards the regional road aspect of the proposal, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants.
The Capital Plan published in September 2015 provides for the gradual build up in expenditure on the maintenance and improvement of the road network over a 7 year period. The bulk of expenditure is scheduled to be spent on maintenance of the road network with some limited investment in new projects. My Department has provided funding to Cavan County Council (acting as lead authority with Monaghan and Louth County Councils) with over €2m in the period 2007-2014 to progress the regional road element of the project to preliminary design. At an estimated cost of €150 million, unfortunately it was not possible to include the East-West Link in the Capital Plan.
