Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Transport Minister says he has 'no role' in planning issues surrounding a long-awaited upgrade of the N59 through Connemara.
In a response to a parliamentary question from Galway West TD Eamon O'Cuiv seen by NewsBreak, Minister Shane Ross says 'planning consent issues' are to blame for the hold up in the delivery of the upgrade project.
The section of the route from Maam Cross to Clifden remains in limbo, as the planned realignment of the road must be re-examined before a new planning application can be submitted.
The original application was turned down by An Bord Pleanala amid environmental concerns.
Meanwhile, work on the section from Oughterard to Maam Cross is yet to get underway as agreement has not yet been reached between the county council and the NPWS on the method statements for the project.
Connemara councillors are set to receive an update on the beleaguered project at a meeting at County Hall this afternoon.
Deputy O'Cuiv says Minister Ross is refusing to accept responsibility for the national secondary route.
