234 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Transport if, in his view a non-public road which has been improved under a local improvement scheme can be taken in charge by the relevant local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9119/07]

235 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Transport the process whereby a non-public road which has been improved under a local improvement scheme can be taken in charge by the relevant local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9120/07]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 234 and 235 together.

A local authority may, by order, declare any road over which a public right of way exists to be a public road. The procedures to be adopted by a Local Authority to do this are set down in Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993.

It is generally a matter for the Local Authority themselves to decide whether a specific road should be declared a public road or not. The criteria for doing so are also laid down in Section 11 of the Roads Act 1993.