Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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285. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is a national policy with respect to cycling races on public roads; if he is aware of the differences in approach in different counties and different Garda Síochána districts; if he is aware of the difficulties that this is causing for cycling clubs seeking to run competitive road races; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26498/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Road traffic management including the holding of cycle races is a matter for the relevant road authority in conjunction with an Garda Síochána.  It is the responsibility of the road authority to make decisions relating to road traffic matters having regard to the convenience and safety of the general public and taking into account any observations of An Garda Síochána.  I am satisfied that the local road authorities and An Garda Síochána are the appropriate bodies to address these matters and I do not believe that it would be appropriate for me as Minister to comment on the decisions of individual road authorities. 

Officials from my Department have met with Cycling Ireland, the national governing body for cycling, to explain the current position in relation to the holding of cycling races and to discuss the matters raised by them on this issue.