Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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162. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government whether he or his Department have yet approved the method statements for the upgrade of the N59 road from Oughterard to Bun a’Choill in County Galway, which were last submitted to his Department in September 2022; the reason for the delay in doing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23200/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to my recent response in this matter. Staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department have been working with Galway County Council in relation to this project. It is a condition of the planning permission given by An Bord Pleanala that NPWS must agree to method statements relating to the Construction Stage prepared by Galway County Council.

Two method statements prepared by Galway County Council, which outlined the methodology for the ground investigation and archaeological investigations along the N59 (Bunnakill to Oughterard) as part of the overall N59 Maam Cross-Oughterard Project, were submitted in September 2022.

These method statements are being considered by the NPWS. This is a complex case in a designated area. Accordingly, great care is being exercised in giving the matter full and due consideration. The NPWS will revert to Galway County Council as soon as possible.