Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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511. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of plans for a ring road or outer city bypass for Galway; the involvement his department has in this area and other efforts to resolve traffic congestion in Galway city; when he expects to have progress on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41291/17]

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 and in relation to public transport.  The planning, design and operation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Traffic management in Galway and other cities is the responsibility of the relevant local authority.

The transport element of the Capital Plan makes provision for a number of national road projects to commence during the plan period, including the Galway City Ring Road, subject to necessary project approvals.

I am advised by the NTA that a transport strategy for Galway City was prepared by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in partnership with Galway City Council and Galway County Council during 2016.  That Transport Strategy set out an overall framework for the development of transport infrastructure and services in Galway City and its environs over a twenty year period.  The Strategy has been included in the new City Development Plan which was adopted by the City Council and came into force on 7 January 2017.  It is now primarily a matter for the local authority to pursue its implementation.