Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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31. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to bring forward amending legislation that will allow the National Roads Authority to enter into pre-planning discussions with An Bord Pleannála in advance of road building projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36635/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The planning, design and implementation of individual national road schemes are matters for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2007 in conjunction with the relevant local authorities.

The main purpose of the Roads Bill 2014, which is currently at Second Stage in the Dáil, is to facilitate the merger of the National Roads Authority (NRA) and the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA). The Bill also provides for a number of amendments to the existing provisions of the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007.

At present there is no provision in either the Roads Acts or the Planning Acts for the NRA or road authorities to enter into pre-planning application consultations with An Bord Pleanála in relation to proposed road developments. However, the Planning Acts make provision for pre-planning consultation in relation to various other strategic infrastructure developments, including transport-related projects, with An Bord Pleanála prior to the submission of a planning application.

I believe that there is merit in making provision for the NRA and road authorities to engage in pre-planning consultations with An Bord Pleanála in relation to proposed road developments. Accordingly, I will seek to introduce such an amendment in the Roads Bill at Committee Stage.

As pre-planning consultations are a function of An Bord Pleanála, and therefore primarily a planning matter, my Department is liaising with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and An Bord Pleanála, as well as with the National Roads Authority, on the matter.