Mr. Fred Barry:

Deputy O'Donovan asked about engagement with ports and airports. We engage with ports and airports, although not so much with the latter unless they are developing their own plans. Conversations are ongoing with Clare County Council regarding the national route to Shannon Airport. We have received submissions from Foynes Port and we are aware of its ambitions for the area. It is on the N69, which is a national secondary road and, like many western coastal secondary roads, is far removed from what is necessary to give proper access not only to Foynes but also the entire corridor to Tarbert and beyond. We are aware of the need for improvement but there is no real possibility of doing anything with it in the near future given the funding position. We have carried out preliminary investigations on certain routes, including the N69, and have published our comments on their condition.

On roads that fall foul of An Bord Pleanála, such as the plans for the N20, the question extends to roads that have been planned but are not going to be built for some time to come and the preservation of routes by local authorities. Routes have to be preserved in one form or another or else it will never be possible to build roads. Parts of the route corridor for the M1 were identified 30 or 40 years ago. I do not suggest it is best practice to allow corridors to sit for that length of time but if they are not identified and preserved it will never be possible to build the road when the time comes for it. Local authorities will make the ultimate decision on routes but particularly where a route has not been narrowed to a defined corridor our suggestion is that if somebody is applying to extend a house or build a farm building he or she should be allowed to proceed and if we subsequently acquire the land by CPO we will pay full value for it, including the value of the additional construction. It is our view that local developments affecting people on a day-to-day basis should be allowed to proceed and we will deal with them through the compensation process if and when it arises.