Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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312. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to upgrade the signage for the closure of the Hollow Road on the Curragh; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14291/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Range No. 3 is a rifle range within the Curragh Camp and since March 2016 the Defence Forces have resumed training on this range. This has resulted in the occasional temporary closure by the Defence Forces of the Hollow Road. The temporary road closures are required as part of strict control and safety measures put in place by the Defence Forces to ensure public safety during the firing of live ammunition on Range No. 3.

These occasional temporary road closures by the Defence Forces are in accordance with the provisions of Section 274 of the Defence Act, 1954, as amended. This provides the Defence Forces with the powers to temporarily stop all traffic in the vicinity of any place used for rifle practices. It is acknowledged that the occasional temporary closure of the Hollow Road may be an inconvenience for some local residents.

I have been advised by the military authorities that signage is temporarily erected at either end of the Hollow Road and Brownstown on the day prior to the required closures. This gives advance notice of the date and duration of the proposed road closure. This alerts local residents and road users of the need to take alternative detour routes. Military Sentries are on duty at either end of the Hollow Road during the road closures to control the traffic and to advise users of the alternative routes. The military authorities have also advised that red warning flags are flown while firing is being conducted, and warning lights are activated in the centre of the Curragh Camp outside of the water tower, in full view of the public as further safety and information notification measures.

The Defence Forces website, , provides members of the public with details of planned road closures.

There are no plans in place to upgrade the signage at this time.