Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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527. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of an action (details supplied) under the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39536/18]

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 operation of individual national roads including motorways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

However, I understand from TII that, with the exception of a short section of the Kildare Town By-pass together with the on-going works on the M7 Naas to Newbridge Upgrade Scheme, works have been completed on the installation of ducting on the M7 and M8.

Ducting on a section of the Kildare Town By-Pass scheme remains to be completed due to complications arising from the presence of a tanking membrane beneath the motorway, which will necessitate ducting being installed along the fence line.

Ducting is also being installed as part of the M7 Naas to Newbridge Upgrade Scheme which it is envisaged will be completed in 2019.

When completed, the works in question will facilitate telecoms operators in deploying infrastructure to expand their networks including between Dublin and Cork.