Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the action that will be taken to combat flooding on the Kylemore Road, County Galway given the serious issue of flooding on the road making it regularly impassable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11386/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, and in line with the National Development Plan, the planning, design and maintenance of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. 

The matter at issue here - the flooding of the N59 at Kylemore - is not a matter for TII.  I understand from TII that Galway County Council have assessed the cause of the flooding at Kylemore Road and have determined that the problem is associated with the capacity of the river channel and blockage of the bridge opening by material transported by the river. 

It is a matter for Galway County Council as road authority for the area, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to resolve this issue. I understand that works to remove the build-up of material in the river channel, which is leading to the flooding problem, must also have agreement of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Inland Fisheries Ireland.  I understand that engagement is taking place between Galway County Council, OPW and these agencies in an attempt to find a solution. 

TII has indicated to my Department that it is available to liaise with and provide support to Galway County Council, insofar as it can, in this matter.  I will also bring the matter to the attention of my colleague Minister Patrick Donovan who has responsibility for the OPW.