John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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776. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or TII intend to plan for a western Dublin orbital route linking the N4 and N7; if so, the details of the plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10252/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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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 (TII) 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.

The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the local authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants.  The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.

TII, in association with South Dublin County Council, has undertaken and just published a N4/N7 Corridor Study. This Study assesses future traffic patterns in this area and possible measures to address forecast travel demand. A Western Orbital Route is one of the possible measures examined. 

Noting the above position, 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.