Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
202. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport the engagement that has taken place with local authorities in the greater Dublin area regarding long term road resilience and orbital routes beyond the M50. [33525/26]
View answerAs 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 Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals.
The National Transport Authority's (NTA) Greater Dublin Area Strategy does not envisage the progression of a Dublin Outer Orbital Route in its original form.
However, it proposed the provision of offline improvements in the existing road network to cater for orbital demand. It is important to point out that it is for the relevant local authorities, in the first instance, to engage with TII regarding the progression of any proposed national road project. All projects, including those listed in the NDP or any revision to the NDP, require statutory approval and compliance with the Infrastructure Guidelines.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply regarding the development of improvements to the national road network which may facilitate orbital traffic in the Greater Dublin Area. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
