Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

51. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he met a campaign group over summer 2017 in relation to the N59 in Galway; the result of the meeting; the actions he has taken to address the issues raised by the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41987/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.

I did facilitate a meeting between the N59 Campaign Group and TII and Galway County Council in February this year and I also met with the Group during a visit to Galway in June. 

As the Deputy knows work on the upgrade of the Oughterard to Maam Cross section of the route is subject to the agreement of method statements by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).  As method statements have not been agreed to date for the Maam Cross to Oughterard section of the N59, Galway County Council in liaison with TII has focused on the overlay of 7 kms of pavement this year and on progressing preparatory work for the upgrade of the Maam Cross to Bunnakill section of the road. In this context I understand method statements for ground investigation works relating to the upgrade of that section were agreed by NPWS.

As the allocation of resources to progress work in relation to the N59, is a matter for TII I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for further direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.