Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to thank the Senator for the opportunity to address this issue in the House on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Varadkar.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Minister has responsibility for overall policy and funding of the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a statutory matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA, under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007, along with the local authorities concerned.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources, supplemented by State road grants paid by the Department. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

A total of €400 million has been made available this year under the 2013 regional and local roads investment programme. However, it is a matter for local authorities to decide on their road programmes and how best to use the resources available to them. The role of local authorities in overseeing the regional and local roads network is very important. With the vast network of roads serving very different needs from small farmers to large multinationals, a one-size-fits-all based regional and local roads maintenance regime would not be appropriate. I believe the decisions should be made locally by local public representatives.

I understand that in the case of this bridge Galway County Council has decided to impose a weight restriction on the bridge pending remedial works. Public concerns have been raised about the impact of the weight restriction on local residents and I understand that Galway County Council is in direct contact with the affected residents with a view to addressing the problem as quickly as possible.

I do understand the issues that the Senators have raised here this evening. I will ask the Minister about it and will ask my officials tomorrow to make contact with Galway County Council to try to achieve speedy resolution of this problem. Senator Healy Eames is quite correct, the funding does not seem to be a difficulty. There are other problems. I will ask my officials to contact Galway County Council immediately. It is a matter for the council. The Senators need to put pressure on the council. By way of support and help I will ask my officials tomorrow to make contact with the council.