Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I reply in this debate on behalf of my colleague the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar. I thank Deputy Healy for raising the matter on the Adjournment and for the opportunity to address the issues involved.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for overall policy and funding relating to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The NRA has informed the Minister that the present situation with this project is that the N24 Pallasgreen to Cahir scheme, which includes the bypass of Tipperary town, now incorporates the N24 Pallasgreen to Bansha scheme and the N24 Cahir to Bansha scheme. Consultants have been appointed to progress the environmental impact statement for the scheme and it is anticipated that this will be ready for publication later this year. The allocation for this work in 2011 is €456,000.

The Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, understands the Deputy's concern for the development and growth of the town of Tipperary, as I do, given that I am a frequent traveller in that direction. However, in the funding of national road schemes such as this it must be emphasised that progress on particular road schemes will be very much dependent on the availability of funds within a reduced capital budget. I am not in a position to say any more than that this evening. The environmental impact statement and planning for the scheme should be advertised later year.

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