Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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457. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which the EU funding criteria attached to motorway infrastructure in respect of the planting of linear native woodlands for buffering alongside new motorways has been applied; the reason there appears to be a completely ad hoc approach to the existing motorway planting; if there are management plans for the existing woodlands as part of an overarching long term management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40374/17]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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458. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the plans in place to finish off the native tree planting creating native linear woodlands on land that is readily available in view of the fact that motorway planting does not appear to be coordinated or consistent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40375/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 457 and 458 together.

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 (including associated tree planting) is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's questions to TII for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.