Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

620. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration is being given to constructing the M20 motorway between Cork and Limerick. [21806/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 national road projects (including the M20) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland 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. As the Deputy is aware, the Capital Plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. While the transport element of the Capital Plan did provide for some targeted investment in a number of new projects in the Munster region, it was not possible to include the M20 in the Capital Plan as the scale of investment to deliver it was not affordable.  

I am conscious of the potential regional development benefits of an upgrade of the Cork to Limerick link and in this regard I agreed to TII spending €1 million to undertake some early activity surveys/studies.  I will review the scope for progressing the project further once the Capital Plan Review is completed.

Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

621. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the review of the roads capital programme; when he will be in a position to confirm the inclusion in the programme of the upgrading of the N24 through County Tipperary, including the Tipperary Town and Carrick on Suir bypasses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21903/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

​As Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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 (including the N24) is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland 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. As regards the Capital Plan Review, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has indicated that the additional capital funding for allocation totals about €2.6 billion.  While there is a strong case for additional funding for the transport sector, there are a multitude of possible national, regional and local projects around the country, the cost of which far exceed available funding and unfortunately, this means that only a limited number can be considered for funding.  The final decisions on allocations are, however, matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and Government as a whole.