Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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61. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the OPW will replace a bridge in treacherous condition with a new bridge (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10282/23]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Office of Public Works (OPW) has a statutory remit for the maintenance of the Moy Arterial Drainage Scheme under the Arterial Drainage Act 1945. The bridge at Mullahowney is a footbridge on channel C1/16/1 of the Moy Arterial Drainage Scheme. The OPW has a maintenance responsibility for both the channel and this bridge. 

As the bridge is scheduled as a footbridge in the Moy Arterial Drainage Scheme, the OPW is precluded from providing a vehicular type access bridge.

The OPW has continued to monitor the bridge and has scheduled the installation of parapet railings to the required standard to provide edge protection to users as part of the 2023 bridge maintenance programme. The OPW requests that the landowner contacts the Ballina Office on 096-22065 to arrange to have the parapet railings installed. 

The OPW has no objection to the landowner widening the bridge subject to the following conditions:

- Any design proposal to be submitted to OPW for review. 

- The bridge should be constructed according to current best practice.

- Advice on any planning permission requirements should be sought from the relevant Local Authority. 

- Consultation should occur with the National Parks and Wildlife Service with respect to any  environmental assessments that may be required before undertaking any construction works.