648. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 26 September 2019, if the council has appointed engineering consultants to assist with the progression of the scheme through the next four phases of the project. [42261/19]

The advancement and completion of this project is, in the first instance, a matter for Kildare County Council.

Notwithstanding this, I am advised by the Council that as per the reply to Question No. 204 of 26 September 2019, they have recently completed the preliminary appraisal stage of the project in accordance with Transport Infrastructure Ireland's Project Management Guidelines 2019.  This is the first of eight phases in the overall project.  The Council are currently in the process of engaging an Engineering Consultancy to assist with the progression of the scheme through the next four phases of the project.