Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I am pleased to outline the Department's position on development fronting on accessing national roads. The decision to grant a planning application, with or without conditions, is a matter for the relevant planning authority or An Bord Pleanála in the event of an appeal. In making decisions on applications planning authorities must, under planning legislation, consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, any submissions or observations received and relevant ministerial or Government policies, including any guidelines issued by the Department.

Policy on development of national roads has been consistent for many years and was restated recently in the Department's draft development management guidelines, which are expected to be issued in final form before the end of this year. These guidelines state that the location of new means of access to national primary roads or residential, commercial, industrial or other development dependent on such means of access should not be permitted except in areas where a speed limit of 50-65 km/h applies or, in case of infilling, in the existing built-up areas. The same considerations apply to national secondary roads.

The safety of road users is of particular importance. Analysis of road accident data indicates that more than 50% of all injury accidents reported on Irish roads over the period 1996-2004 occurred at junctions or involved turning movements on to or off roads. The risks posed here are obviously greater on national roads where there is a greater volume of traffic and higher speed limits apply.

This policy was stated as long ago as 1982 in the Department's development control advice and guidelines, which referred to the need to protect the investment in national roads and to traffic hazards for both residents and road users. The NRA's recent policy statement on development management and access to national roads, dated May 2006, is a further elaboration of this policy. This policy has also been restated in the Department's sustainable rural housing guidelines for planning authorities, issued in April 2005. Accordingly, policy on development on national roads is long-established and well-known.

Under the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, the NRA must be consulted on all planning applications where the proposed development would involve the formation or widening of an access to a national road except in a built up area or where it might give rise to a significant increase in the volume of traffic using a national road.

Any submissions made by the NRA on a planning application must be taken into account by the planning authority in making its decision. It is open to the NRA, as it is to any person or body who made a submission, to appeal the decision of a planning authority to An Bord Pleanála. The policy guidance on development of national roads is clear. There are no plans to introduce amending legislation. If the Deputies wish to provide the correspondence regarding planning permission I will speak to the Minister.

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