Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason officials from his Department have not had discussions with National Toll Roads in relation to the impact of the opening of the Dublin Port tunnel on the West Link toll bridge; if he is satisfied with the situation whereby officials from the National Roads Authority have not consulted with the National Toll Roads either; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9110/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects, including the Dublin Port tunnel, are matters in the first instance for the National Road Authority, NRA, and the local authorities concerned, in this case, Dublin City Council. I am not aware of specific discussions between the NRA and NTR in relation to the impact of the port tunnel on the West Link toll bridge.

The NRA and Dublin City Council are working to ensure that the Dublin Port tunnel, when open, will integrate smoothly with the road network at both the M1-M50 junction and in the port area. As part of this process, Dublin City Council is preparing a HGV traffic management plan to ensure the optimum use of the tunnel by HGV traffic. Preparation and adoption of this plan is a matter for Dublin City Council.

Dublin City Council recently conducted a public consultation process in relation to the HGV management strategy, the closing date for which was 10 February. I understand that a significant number of submissions have been received from a range of interested parties which are now being processed by the council. It will then be a matter for the council to finalise the strategy, taking account of the views expressed.

I am very conscious of the need to co-ordinate the commissioning of the completion of the Dublin Port tunnel with the upgrade of the M50. My officials and I are consulting with all stakeholders, including Dublin City Council, to ensure that a co-ordinated traffic management strategy is developed for the opening of the tunnel.