Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Transport the quantities of road salt and grit that were recorded in storage and available for use in the State on each day from 22 to 28 November 2010; the locations at which quantities of this salt and grit were held and the relevant amounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46744/10]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Transport the quantities of road salt and grit that were recorded in storage and available for use in the State on each day from 28 November to 5 December 2010; the locations at which quantities of this salt and grit were held and the relevant amounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46745/10]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Transport the quantities of road salt and grit that are in storage and available in the State as of 6 December 2010; the locations at which quantities of this salt and grit are held and the relevant amounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46746/10]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Transport as of 6 December 2010 the volumes of road salt and grit that have been ordered from sources; the agencies that have ordered this salt and grit; the organisations from which the salt and grit has been ordered; when it will arrive in the State; where it will be stored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46747/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 to 59, inclusive, together.

As part of its role on the Government Emergency Task Force, my Department reviewed the transport-related response to the severe weather events last winter and is working with the Task Force and other Government Departments with putting in place additional measures in response to such events. In relation to transport issues, my Department and its agencies are engaged in the implementation of these actions.

Arising from the review the National Roads Authority (NRA) were tasked with ensuring adequate salt supplies are available in future to maintain the prioritised road network. To achieve this, the NRA advertised a framework contract in August 2010 for the supply of de-icing salt for the coming winter. The contract is for the supply of 80,000 tonnes with an initial call of 50,000 tonnes to be imported and distributed by mid December and a further 30,000 tonnes in January 2011. This supply is in addition to the 20,000 tonnes of salt stock already available. Additional supplies are being purchased to meet requirements under the framework contract. The existence of the Framework Contract does not preclude local authorities from purchasing salt directly from other/traditional sources.

The NRA is also investing €6million this year in additional dry storage facilities for de-icing salt and a further €2.5million for grit spreaders/snow blades etc. for local authorities.

The day to day management of salt supplies is a matter for the NRA which I understand is working closely with the local authorities, on a daily basis, to prudently manage the distribution of salt for use on the prioritised routes. The NRA is co-ordinating the supply of salt stocks to local authorities on a needs basis and stocks in the different authorities will vary from day to day.