Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the opportunity to address this issue.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for overall policy and funding regarding the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA, in accordance with section 19 of the Roads Act. Because of the national financial position, there have been very large reductions in roads expenditure over the past number of years and there will be further reductions in the next number of years.

The NRA has a budget of €318 million for improvement and maintenance works on the national roads network in 2013. The available funds do not match the amount of work required. For this reason, it is not possible to progress a range of worthwhile projects and the main focus must be on the maintenance and repair of roads. This will remain the position in the coming years. Only a small number of new PPP projects can be taken to the construction stage for now.

Pragmatically dealing with this reality, in early 2012 the Minister indicated to the NRA that it should withdraw its application to An Bord Pleanála for the M20 Cork to Limerick route. The Minister was concerned that to proceed any further with the scheme to build the M20 would have exposed the NRA to significant costs arising from the legal requirement to purchase the land if the CPO was approved. This would have to be done without the reasonable prospect of proceeding to construction stage quickly thereafter. To do this would have tied up large amounts of capital which could be better used elsewhere on the national network given the funding constraints.

Turning to the issue of the Adare bypass in particular, the position is that the N21 Adare bypass route was intended to run to the south of Adare and link with the Limerick-Cork route. The compulsory purchase order and environmental impact statement documentation were submitted to An Bord Pleanála for approval on 4 March 2010. On 18 October 2012, An Bord Pleanála made a decision to refuse the proposed road scheme to bypass Adare. Principally, although not exclusively, An Bord Pleanála's decision was based on the fact that the Adare bypass route would, in the board's words: "if permitted and constructed, constitute isolated infrastructure, would not represent a coherent approach to the provision of major roads infrastructure and, furthermore, would not have the potential to fulfil the functions envisaged for the scheme." The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

While I do not think anyone would argue that traffic is not an issue for the residents and businesses in Adare, An Bord Pleanála has made its decision and it is now for the NRA and the local authority to assess options open to them on the basis of that decision.

I understand from the NRA that it recently received a request from Limerick local authorities to authorise and fund the appointment of consultants to commence the planning process for a revised scheme to bypass Adare village. That request is currently being considered by the authority. It should be noted, however, in keeping with the provisions of the Roads Act 1993, the Minister is not directly involved in this assessment process.

With regard to the specific issue of the costs involved over the past 30 years, I do not have that figure off the top of my head. However, I will endeavour to get an assessment of the costs involved from the Department for the Deputy.

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