Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

​I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 70 together.

I will be as fast as I can. Deputy Griffin will be aware that I was meant to travel the road in question with him last week. Unfortunately, I had to postpone my visit, for which I apologise, as a result of events in County Mayo. I will visit the area in the next week or two or soon after Easter to see the route at first hand.

In cases where a road authority, namely, the local authority, has information that indicates that road safety improvement measures on a national route are warranted, the road authority should prepare a feasibility report and carry out an analysis of the collision history on the route.  If the number of collisions meet the criteria for a high collision location, the road authority can design a scheme to deal with the safety issues and cost and prioritise the scheme in relation to other works being proposed.  Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, has allocated €16.7 million for high collision location safety works on the national road network in 2017.  In addition, TII also provides a programme to address improvements to skid resistance.  A total of €415,000 has been allocated to Cork County Council and €260,000 to Kerry County Council in respect of this programme.

I am fully aware of the strategic importance of the N22 Ballyvourney to Macroom scheme and I understand from TII that it is intended that mainline construction will commence in 2020.  As regards an earlier construction start date, the extra funding for allocation across government under the capital plan and the current review of the plan reflect the constraints associated with European Union fiscal rules.  The bulk of additional funding, both currently and under the review, will be available in 2020 and 2021, with significantly lower amounts in 2018 and 2019. This significantly constrains the scope to accelerate major investment projects.  Decisions under the review are ultimately matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Government. However, I take very seriously the safety elements the Deputy has brought to my attention again.

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