Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is satisfied with the regulatory regime that exists for compliance with National Roads Authority roadworks specifications; if he will take the opportunity of his proposed Road Traffic Bill to introduce statutory minimum standards of compliance with roadworks specification; if he will use the opportunity to introduce sanctions where local authorities fail to comply with guidelines-standards; and if he will introduce a statutory checking system to National Roads Authority procedures in order that roads are completed in compliance before funding is handed over to the local authority. [9172/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority, NRA.

I understand that the NRA's Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, which was originally published in December 2000, contains standards and advice notes relating to the design, assessment and operation of national roads in Ireland. The NRA requires that the design manual be used on all projects for the construction and-or improvement of national roads.

While the design manual is not a statutory document the NRA, as the agency with responsibility for the construction and maintenance of the national roads network and the funding of individual projects, requires that the technical standards specified in the document be adhered to.

The NRA's Specification for Road Works, which was originally published in March 2000, contains detailed specifications for all elements of road works. The full document or relevant parts is included as part of the contract documents for individual road construction or improvement projects and must therefore be complied with as a contractual obligation.

There are no statutory minimum standards in relation to road re-surfacing. I am informed that both the NRA's Specification for Road Works and Design Manual for roads and Bridges include requirements in relation to road surfacing and re-surfacing.