When is it expected to take the next stage of the Roads Bill? The Bill allows for the amalgamation of the Railway Procurement Agency and the National Roads Authority. Specifically, it will allow for preplanning consultations to take place between the NRA and An Bord Pleanála in advance of the construction of roads. In the recent past we have seen in places like Adare, County Limerick, that when preplanning consultations were not allowed, An Bord Pleanála refused to allow permission to be granted for the route of the bypass. We anticipate that the new Bill will rectify that issue. When is the next stage proposed to be taken?

That is waiting to go to committee for Committee Stage. The Department will normally contact the committee and make arrangements for the relevant sections to be dealt with. I will advise the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport of the Deputy's request and see what its contact with the committee is.