Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have three short questions. What steps have been taken by the Department to ensure the upgrade of the N59 can progress? As the Minister is aware, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, has not yet agreed method statements on the Maam Cross to Oughterard section - I understand this comes under the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Ring - and in the section west of Maam Cross I understand it did not arrive at an agreement with the county council before it went to An Bord Pleanála, with the subsequent disaster in terms of An Bord Pleanála turning down the planning permission application even though the road was largely on line. How much progress has been made in resolving that?

My second question is straightforward. In the designation and redesignation of alternatives, are we talking about natural heritage areas, NHAs, only? Is it a fact that it is nearly impossible, except for a natural disaster, to redesignate or dedesignate a special area of conservation, SAC, under European law?

The Minister mentioned a €2 million fund and the purpose for which it will be used. If that is a national fund spread among 30 counties, among Dublin's four local authorities, and among Cork's two, taking account of the city and the county, that is €66,000 per county. Will the Minister not agree that in a county like Galway that stretches from Ballinasloe to Clifden, €66,000 will do nothing?