Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies for their contributions to the debate on this Bill. Before I address some of the points raised, I emphasise that the Bill is technical in nature. It provides the legislative framework to facilitate the transfer of non-national roads and the national vehicle and driver file functions from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to the Department of Transport. The transfer of functions will be effected by a transfer order to be made by the Government. Drafting of the necessary transfer of functions order is well advanced and the order will be made to coincide with enactment of this Bill.

Several Deputies raised issues in regard to responsibility for non-national roads at national level. I clarify that responsibility for non-national roads is not transferring to the National Roads Authority but to the Minister for Transport. The transfer of functions in this instance has nothing to do with the NRA. Deputy Ring and others who are concerned about accountability to the Dáil and the possibility of NRA involvement can rest assured that these functions are merely coming under the remit of the Minister for Transport.

Concerns were also raised about the future role of local authorities and whether they would have less power under the new arrangements. The position is clear. The Bill proposes no change in the powers and functions of local authorities in regard to the improvement and maintenance of non-national roads. Local authority powers are not affected.

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