Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 562: To ask the Minister for Transport his policy regarding the Atlantic corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30982/09]

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 construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Act 1993 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. The priority for the roads investment programme after the completion of the major interurban network will be the road schemes on the Atlantic Road Corridor as well as the improvement of other key national primary routes and the targeted improvement of certain national secondary routes. Progress on these and other road schemes must be viewed in the context of the challenging financial times ahead.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Transport the communication he has had with the National Roads Authority with regard to the construction of the Atlantic corridor; if the plans for the route will be expedited within the current timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30987/09]

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 construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads projects, including the Atlantic Road Corridor, is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Act, 1993, as amended by the Roads Act 2007, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. I have had no specific communication with the NRA in relation to the development of the Atlantic Road Corridor.

The priority for the roads investment programme after the completion of the major interurban network will be the road schemes on the Atlantic Road Corridor as well as the improvement of other key national primary routes and the targeted improvement of certain national secondary routes. Progress on these and other road schemes must be viewed in the context of the challenging financial times ahead.