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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Mar 1944

Vol. 92 No. 16

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Horse Traffic on Roads.

asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if, in view of the fact that the custom of steam-rolling and tar-spraying the entire width of roads renders them extremely dangerous to horse traffic, he will direct local authorities to leave a margin on each side of such roads suitable for such traffic.

I dealt with this matter in concluding the debate on the Vote for my Department on the 4th November last. My views are set out on page 1659 of the Offical Report for that date.

So far as new roads are concerned, I indicated in a recent speech which I made to the county surveyors that, under the comprehensive plan for the modernisation and improvement of our road system, upon which the Department's engineering staff has been engaged, it was intended, with the exception of new class 4 roads, that the proposed verge width on all new roads would be sufficient to allow a surface strip suitable for horse-drawn traffic to be laid at each side of the carriageway.

So far as the present roads are concerned I indicated in the debate referred to that we cannot take any liberties with them by altering the present lay-out. We have to try to keep them even as they are until such time as circumstances will permit of their eventual reconstruction.

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