Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the policy followed in funding roads that are regraded to non-national road status following the opening of by-pass or motorways; if funding is provided to improve the road conditions prior to expecting the relevant local authority to maintain the road; the amount that has been allocated for such purposes in each year from 2002 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4672/07]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for national roads is a matter for the relevant road authority and the National Roads Authority which operates under the aegis of my colleague the Minister for Transport.

Under Section 10 (1) of the Roads Act, 1993, where a national road has been realigned or a by-pass has been constructed on it, the section of the existing road which remains following such realignment or by-pass automatically becomes a local road. I understand, however, that where such a former national road requires strengthening, the National Roads Authority normally finances the necessary improvement works either prior to or following the completion of the by-pass or realignment scheme. Detailed information regarding such funding by the National Roads Authority is not available in my Department.