Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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316. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his position regarding the proposal by Roscommon County Council to upgrade the N61 from Roscommon town to Boyle to national road status; the reason this proposal was not supported; and the measures that will be taken to address deficiencies and support regional connectivity in Roscommon, particularly in light of the National Roads 2040 plan downgrading the role of the N61. [2142/25]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department and TII have discussed the N61 Athlone to Boyle road (which passes through Roscommon town). It was agreed that the N61 from Athlone to Boyle performs the function of a national secondary and does not warrant reclassification.

For context, a National Primary Road is categorised as being a long distance through route, providing connection between principal cities and large towns, or by providing access to category 1 commercial seaports and State airports.

A National Secondary Route is categorised as being of medium length, serving as a connecting road between the principal towns, and linking national primary routes together to form a homogenous network.

The N61 route is of medium length, functions as a connection between the principal towns in the region and links to an existing network of National Primary Routes including the M/N6 in Athlone, the N5 at Tulsk (currently undergoing significant upgrade works), and the N4 at Boyle.

Accordingly, the N61 performs the role of a National Secondary Route and is correctly classified as such. Therefore, I made the decision not to exercise my powers under Section 10 (1) of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended) in relation to the N61 from Athlone to Boyle via Roscommon from a National Secondary to a National Primary route.