Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this very important issue. I was not aware of the fatality to which he referred but I join him in expressing my sympathy to the families involved in yet another tragedy on our roads. It is particularly sad considering that the Senator is talking about the safety aspects of this road, a subject underlined by this tragedy. The dangerous aspect of this road will be a factor when consideration is given to any changes to be made.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in respect of the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects such as the N2 is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 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 TII in accordance with section 19 of the Roads Act. The Government's capital investment plan, which is entitled Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment, provides the strategic and financial framework for TII's national roads programme for the period from 2016 to 2021. As Minister,.I have to work within the capital budgets included in the plan.

In planning the construction schedule for individual projects, TII must also to take account of the annual budgets available. The focus of TII's activities during the coming years is, accordingly, being centred on the progression of the major national road schemes that were identified for development during the period of the Government's investment plan. In this regard, the proposed N2 Slane bypass has been included in the plan among those schemes that are planned to commence during the period subject to necessary approvals. Funding totalling €1.2 million has been provided by TII in 2017 to prepare a new design for the scheme. Within the available finding, I understand TII is hoping to progress minor road improvement schemes on the N2 during the period of the plan. These schemes involve the realignment and-or widening of the existing single carriageway road and include the N2 Monaghan to Emyvale Improvement phase 3 scheme where land acquisition and finalisation of tender documentation is ongoing. In addition, road pavement overlay and safety schemes were completed on the N2 in 2016, including sections of the route at Balrenny to Knockmooney in County Meath and Emyvale village in County Monaghan.Safety works at Blakestown Cross in County Louth are anticipated for completion in February 2017. TII also advises that Monaghan County Council appointed consultants last year to review the safety aspects of the existing N2 between Ardee and Monaghan. The findings of this review are being examined.

On the safety issue, because today, sadly, it is so topical and important, last year Monaghan County Council appointed consultants to report on safety on the N2 between Ardee and Monaghan. The short-term measures outlined have been identified and I will provide the table. These proposals must go before Monaghan County Council for approval. Until approval is received no works can proceed at these locations. The focus at present is to get the short-term proposals under way before medium or long-term proposals can be delivered.