Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Cowley for raising this matter. Although the question with which I was provided differs slightly from that which the Deputy raised, I support his view on the need for participation by all in improved road safety to ensure success. I sympathise with the family of the young girl who was killed tragically last December, as referred to by the Deputy.

I was interested to note Deputy Cowley's remarks on the girl's father's knowledge of road surfacing. I ask the Deputy to relay his information in this regard to my office for investigation. I would like to have the matter fully investigated. As the Deputy implied, nobody in the House wants to point fingers or apportion blame. If there are ambiguities regarding who is responsible for this area, we should ensure that they are fully and properly addressed.

The information provided to me states clearly that the causes of road accidents are many and varied. I understand that road conditions can comprise, on occasion, a causal or contributory factor. A National Roads Authority analysis of factors contributing to fatal and injurious accidents in 2002 indicates that the behaviour of drivers and pedestrians are the key contributory factors, in 86% and 9.7% of cases, respectively, whereas road factors were identified as contributory factors in only 2.5% of fatal and seriously injurious accidents.

The position on the carrying out of pavement improvement works and resurfacing on national roads is that the planning, design and implementation of such works are a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the requirements of the NRA. The requirements and standards regarding pavement improvement works, resurfacing and the signage of such works are set out in the NRA specification for road works and two circular letters issued by the NRA in March 2002 and May 2002. The timely completion of road improvement works is a matter for the local authority concerned and, as part of its overall supervision of the national roads programme, the NRA.

The issues raised by the Deputy have been noted and will be taken up with the NRA for consideration in the context of any revised and further guidance to local authorities on the implementation of pavement improvement and resurfacing works on national roads that they may consider necessary.

A note prepared by my Department refers to the road works at Murrevaugh on the N58. It states that it is understood that white bitumen tarmac was laid in October 2004 and that, because of the prevailing temperature at the time, it was not possible to complete the road improvement works by surface dressing, which would normally be needed to complete the work. As a consequence, it is understood that while the NRA required that surface dressing be applied as soon as practicable, the road section has been left without final resurfacing from October last. Therefore, it is important that signage and markings indicate to road users that work is still under way on the section of the road being improved. The note prepared by the Department also states that it is understood, given the concerns raised about the road pavement condition at Murrevaugh, that Mayo County Council, rather than waiting until May for suitable conditions to apply surface dressing, will now change the pavement construction to include a hot rolled asphalt wearing course which will be applied in the coming weeks. The note from the Department does not clarify what signage is in place but I assure the House that I will take the matter up with the Department to ensure that it is appropriate.

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