Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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286. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected date for the opening of the M17-M18 motorway from Gort to Tuam; if he has had discussions with Transport Infrastructure Ireland regarding sanction of an extension of this motorway from Tuam to Ireland West Airport, Knock; his views on whether such a motorway is integral to the goals of balanced national development and the development of the Atlantic economic corridor pledged in the programme for a partnership Government; if he is planning to hold discussions with the European Investment Bank with a view to having such a motorway financed from that source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7800/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The 7 year transport element of the Capital Plan published in September 2015 sets out transport investment priorities to 2022. The Plan includes provision for expenditure of €6 billion on the road network.  €4.4bn of this funding is earmarked for essential maintenance and strengthening works on the network. A further €600m relates to  PPP projects, including the Gort to Tuam Scheme, and €860m is targeted at progressing a limited number of new roads projects.  The overall funding envelope meant that it was not possible to include a range of projects in the Plan.​  In this context there are no plans at present to extend the M17/M18 scheme to Ireland West Airport Knock.

As regards the expected opening date for the M17/M18 Scheme Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I  have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.