NordenBladet —
Minister of Climate Kristen Michal replied to the interpellation concerning the situation in traffic in Estonia (No. 593), submitted by Members of the Riigikogu Rain Epler, Helle-Moonika Helme and Rene Kokk.
The interpellators wished to know what the ministry’s and minister’s vision was for a plan in case money run out, since road maintenance funds had been reduced in the budget.
Michal said that as a result of the state budget strategy 2024–2027 negotiations, a total of €680.5 million had been channelled into road management. “Compared to the previous road management plan, which was planned from 2023 to 2026, the share of the state budget in the next four-year road management plan is €76 million higher. The share of external funds has decreased, but the total budget for the new period is still 37 million higher. In the meantime, road construction funds to supplement military mobility funding have been added as well,” the minister said.
The principles of organising road management, the methodologies to be used, and the amount of funds allocated for road management per year are set out in the National Road Management Plan 2024–2027 approved by an order of the Government of the Republic. “It is renewed every year in line with the national budget strategy,” explained Michal. In order to improve road safety, the Transport Administration is consistently working to identify and rebuild dangerous sections and junctions.
He drew attention to the fact that, according to § 92 of the Building Code, on national roads, the duties of the owner of the road were performed by the Transport Administration. The Building Code lays down specific requirements for the road owner concerning the safe planning, design, construction and condition of the road and the relevant authority to perform regulatory enforcement. “The Transport Administration complies with the requirements of the law in the performance of its duties as a road owner, which is why the Ministry of Climate has not seen any grounds to initiate supervisory control in this matter,” the Minister said.
Michal also replied to the interpellation concerning traffic management on national roads (No. 608). The minister did not have to reply to the interpellation concerning the renovation of Estonian housing stock (No. 592) because no representative of the interpellators was present.
Minister of Social Protection Signe Riisalo replied to the interpellation concerning ensuring the quality of assistance to victims of violence (No. 428) and the interpellation concerning offering mental health support to domestic violence victims and their children (No. 489), submitted by members of the Riigikogu.
The Board of the Riigikogu approved Member of the Riigikogu Urve Tiidus as a member of the Environment Committee.
Rain Epler took the floor during the open microphone.
The sitting ended at 4.56 p.m.
Verbatim record of the sitting (in Estonian)
Video recording will be available to watch later on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
Riigikogu Press Service
Gunnar Paal
+372 631 6351, +372 5190 2837
gunnar.paal@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The Riigikogu discussed issues relating to the situation in traffic
Source: Parliament of Estonia