Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Transport the reports, plans or correspondence his Department has that refers to a proposed eastern bypass; the correspondence he has had with Dublin City Council on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29076/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme element of Transport 21. The implementation of individual national road projects, such as the proposed Eastern Bypass Route, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA), and the local authorities concerned, under the relevant sections of the Roads Act, 1993.

Two reports were commissioned by the NRA in 2000 and 2002 on the feasibility of constructing the Eastern Bypass, copies of both reports were forwarded to my Department at the time. The output of these reports consisted of a constraints study and preliminary cost and traffic reports. The NRA subsequently engaged consulting engineers to update these two studies by undertaking a further engineering and feasibility study of the Bypass. This study examines possible route options, forecasts traffic demand and reports on scheme costs for the various options examined. It has recently been completed and a copy was provided to my Department in the past week.

It was indicated at the launch of Transport 21 that feasibility study work would be undertaken on this route. However, implementation of the project is not included in the Transport 21 financial envelope. There has been no correspondence on this issue between myself, or my Department and Dublin City Council.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Transport the negotiations that have taken place in relation to identifying the priority route between Strabane and Dublin; the plans in place to introduce ideas from both sides of the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29082/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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A meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (Transport Sector) took place on 14th September 2007. The Council discussed and agreed the necessary steps to progress the A5 road project which will provide dual carriageway standard on the route within Northern Ireland serving the North West Gateway. The Council agreed to the formation by October 2007 of a management structure for the A5 project comprising a Cross Border Steering Group, Technical Group and a dedicated Roads Service Project Team to evaluate and monitor progress as required, and the early appointment of consultants to enable a route corridor study of the A5 project to commence. The Cross Border Steering Group met in October and the Technical Group was established. Work is proceeding in connection with the appointment of consultants to carry out the route corridor study.