Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2021
26. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his role and function in deciding which road projects will be progressed as part of national transport policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16139/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and securing exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals - projects of more than €100 million are subject to Government approval.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to bring forward the review of the NDP and use the review to set out an updated NDP for the period to 2030. The review of the NDP will be aligned with the National Planning Framework and Project Ireland 2040.
The review of the NDP is a broad and wide ranging review. It seeks to strengthen the alignment with the National Planning Framework as well as to take into account key developments since the launch of the current NDP in 2018. It will examine developments in the context of each National Strategic Outcome. It will take into account the commitments set out in the Programme for Government. It will also take into account the impacts of "Brexit" and Covid-19 as well as reflect key policy developments in areas such as Climate Change and the completion of Regional, Economic and Spatial Strategies for the three Assembly Regions.
Work is underway within my Department to contribute to this review.
