Mr. Michael Nolan:

Deputy Murphy also asked about the peace process and cross-Border investment in light of the impacts of Brexit on our future plans for infrastructure. One of the schemes that we seek to be considered as part of the mid-term review of the capital investment plan is the N2 north of Monaghan. There is a very deficient piece of network on the N2 from Monaghan up to south of the Border. We did some work and have a route corridor reserved. We would like to progress that at some stage if funding will allow it.

Senator Ó Céidigh mentioned the criteria by which we assess how we spend the limited amount of funding that we do receive. We have very detailed assessment criteria. I mentioned them in broad terms earlier as part of my opening statement. As Mr. Maher mentioned, our first priority is to keep the network in a state of good repair and to keep a steady stream of State funding in order to not allow the network to degrade. We have invested €15 billion over the last 15 years or so in the network and are getting benefits from that investment. Keeping the network safe, efficient and open for business is our first priority. Most of the money goes in that direction. Some of the money goes to some minor schemes. As I mentioned earlier, in our current programme of construction of minor projects, there are 20 active projects this year, some of which will run into next year. That programme of minor schemes will end next year. We have some schemes in the planning process but no scheme looks set for construction by the end of 2017. That is because our priority is to keep the network in a state of good repair and to focus all retention on safety schemes, bridge repairs and pavement repairs, as Mr. Maher mentioned. It is quite simple: our priority is to keep the network in a state of good repair.

Senator Ó Céidigh asked for an update on the Galway bypass. As the Senator is no longer present, so does the Chairman want us to address that?