Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself with the regulatory regime governing the operation of roadworks in respect of direct work carried out by local authorities at sites on public roads; the way in which non-statutory requirements and guidelines laid down by the National Roads Authority through their contract system can be enforced in respect of local authorities in cases in which no such contract may exist; and the reason for his inflexibility in dealing with this regulatory oversight. [16220/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The planning, design and implementation of national road improvement projects is a matter for the NRA. Regional and local roads, which constitute the greater percentage of public roads in Ireland, are a matter for the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the relevant local authority.

In relation to national roads, the NRA have confirmed that the same statutory provisions governing the operation of roadworks applies equally to works procured through contract mechanisms and works carried out by the direct labour force of local authorities. In relation to non-statutory requirements and guidelines produced by the NRA, I understand that the NRA operates a grant-aided system for the carrying out of works by local authorities on national roads. It is a matter for the NRA to monitor and ensure compliance with the appropriate non-statutory requirements and guidelines applicable in the case of each grant-aided project.