Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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630. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to add an outer orbital motorway route to complement the M50 along the South Drogheda, Navan, Newbridge corridor, to the capital investment plan; his views on the need for a new outer orbital motorway for the significant populations of Dublin and east Leinster, and to alleviate pressure on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40542/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​As Minister for Transport, Tourism and 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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 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 TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. Decisions on the transport elements of the Capital Plan in the period to 2022 were framed by the conclusions reached in my Department's Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. This report highlighted the importance of maintenance and renewal of transport infrastructure together with some targeted investments to improve the existing network. The Capital Plan reflects the overall funding envelope available in the period to 2022 and there are no proposals to amend the plan.  In this context, adding additional road capacity around Dublin is not a feasible option within the timeframe of the Capital Plan.

I am conscious of the pressures on the M50 and, in the short to medium term, it is a case of optimising the operation of the M50 and improving public transport. The re-opening of the Phoenix Park Tunnel for services on the Kildare commuter rail line next year and the new LUAS Cross City line, which will be in operation in 2017, will be of significant help in this regard. The Capital Plan also envisages significant ongoing investment in replacement and enlargement of the PSO bus fleet.

As regards the operation of the M50, TII is assessing what additional measures can be taken to ensure that the motorway operates as efficiently as possible, including for example the use of variable speed limits depending on road conditions.