Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department ensures that manhole covers and frames used on all major capital projects are certified and meet European standards; the action he will take to ensure these standards are being met; if his attention has been drawn to the threat non-compliance causes both in terms of accidents, retro-fittings and in terms of indigenous employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8305/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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As regards road projects, 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, including the issues referred to by the Deputy, are a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) in conjunction with the relevant road authorities. In the case of regional and local roads, the position is that provision, improvement and maintenance of such roads in its area is a statutory function of each individual road authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. The specification for roadworks is set out in the NRA's Manual of Contract Documents which specifies the appropriate National and European standards for roadworks. It is a matter for each individual road authority to ensure that the standards set out in these documents are followed.