Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the serious safety concerns locally regarding the N4 stretch from Castlebaldwin to Colooney, County Sligo; if he is prepared to state that this road is a priority for the National Roads Authority and his Department when funding becomes available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8655/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.

Notwithstanding the above, as the Deputy will be aware from my discussions with him on this, this is a project which in terms both of access to Sligo and safety grounds, is of considerable importance. While there are not the resources to bring this to construction during the course of the existing capital investment plan to 2016, if and when resources become available, it is a project to which considerable priority will be attached.