Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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240. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with the TII to arrange a meeting with them in regard to a project on (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49748/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Proposals to deliver an upgraded route linking Dundalk to Sligo, taking in Cavan, involve linking elements of the national road network and regional roads along as direct a route as possible. Essentially the route involves upgrade/realignment works on the regional routes from Dundalk to Cavan and on national routes from Cavan to Sligo.

In relation to the national road element, as Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 the planning, design and implementation of individual national road projects, within its capital budget, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.I have, therefore, referred the question to TII for direct reply in relation to the national road section of the outline East-West link. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

As regards the regional road aspect of the proposal, the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in its area is a statutory function of local authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on such roads are a matter for the relevant local authority to be funded from its own resources supplemented by State road grants. My Department has provided funding this year to Cavan County Council to allow for the review and updating of previous work on the appraisal of the scheme.