Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 472: To ask the Minister for Transport the estimated cost of completing the five inter-urban motorways to Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Galway and the border. [12404/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport I have overall responsibility for policy and funding matters in relation to national roads. Under the Roads Act 1993 the National Roads Authority (NRA) are responsible for the detailed planning, design and implementation of the national roads programme including road scheme cost and value for money related matters. Major progress continues to be made towards the completion of the five major inter urban (MIU) routes linking Dublin to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and the Northern Ireland Border by 2010, in line with the targets set for the NRA in Transport 21 and the National Development Plan.

The overall position at the beginning of 2007, one year into Transport 21, is that, of the 738 km of mainline route involved, approximately 70% has been completed or is under construction. The remainder is expected to commence construction this year or in 2008. I do not intend to speculate on costs at this stage.