Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I must point out again that, while I have responsibility for overall policy and funding for the national roads programme, the construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads are matters for the National Roads Authority, NRA, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. I understand the proposed M7 Naas bypass widening scheme which follows the alignment of the motorway has been progressed in compliance with the NRA's project management guidelines. Kildare County Council advertised the scheme in local and national newspapers and a public consultation process began and was left on open display for two weeks.  An Bord Pleanála approved the scheme in August 2014 after an oral hearing.

Unfortunately, the financial realities are that capital funding will continue to be tight for the next number of years, limiting the scope for progressing additional new projects over and above the PPP schemes already in place. I know that it is important to restore capital funding for the transport sector over time, to ensure land transport infrastructure is maintained and renewed to support economic development. While I have, I hope, stabilised the funding position, the scope for new projects depends on the availability of additional capital funding in the future.  Once that is clear to me, the Government will publish a plan to address particular bottlenecks and challenges within the country.

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