Written answers

Thursday, 4 May 2023

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Road Projects

Photo of Maurice QuinlivanMaurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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74. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to the construction of the Northern Distributor Road in Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20768/23]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Transport investment in our five cities is guided by the development of metropolitan area transport strategies, including the Limerick Shannon Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (LSMATS) which was published by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in December 2022. The strategy was prepared by the NTA in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council, Clare County Council, and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, with the cooperation of Iarnród Éireann, and provides a roadmap for sustainable transport in the region over the next 20 years.

In line with the funding commitments in the National Development Plan and following my request to the NTA, the LSMATS does not include proposals for the development of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road.

I believe that the rejuvenation, growth and economic development of Limerick is best met through the prioritised delivery of active travel and public transport infrastructure and services, rather than through an over-emphasis on road-based development. This is central to ensuring that we meet our challenging commitment to deliver a 50% emissions reduction by 2030 and supporting the National Planning Framework (NPF) objective for compact growth.

In my view, proceeding with the Limerick Northern Distributor Road would be contrary to the NPF’s objective of compact growth, would undermine the investment planned in active travel/public transport and would accentuate and continue a dispersed, unsustainable development model in the region. I strongly believe that the focus of transport investment for the region in the coming years should be on improving active travel infrastructure, delivering BusConnects, and adopting a more transport-orientated development approach through the expansion of the rail network. This will allow us to provide a commuter rail system that serves existing and future development.

I look forward to seeing the delivery of much needed transport infrastructure under LSMATS in the coming years to better serve the citizens of the region, improve accessibility and the public realm in a sustainable manner.

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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75. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current earliest projected timeline for completion of the N2 Clontibret-to-the-border project; and if he will provide additional funding for this scheme and ensure that such funding is not dependent on EU co-financing. [20522/23]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon 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. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.

The Government has earmarked €5.1bn for capital spending on new national roads projects from 2021 to 2030 as part of the NDP. As the greater portion of this funding becomes available in the second half of the decade, this means that there is a constraint on the funding available for new projects this year, however, most national road projects in the NDP will continue to be progressed in 2023. Having regard to this context, €2.5 million has been allocated to the N2 Clontibret to the Border scheme, which is contingent on a successful application for funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The project is listed in the NDP and will continue to be considered for further funding in future years over the life of the current NDP.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct update as to the status of this scheme. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Photo of James O'ConnorJames O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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77. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the completion of national road projects in County Cork, including the N73 Clogher Cross-Waterdyke scheme, the Dunkettle Interchange, and the N22 Macroom-Ballyvourney Scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20819/23]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon 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. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you on the status of national roads projects in County Cork, for which approximately €78 million in capital funding was allocated in 2023.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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