asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state on what body is the liability (a) to repair, and (b) to improve the bridge over the canal on the main public road running from Naas to Newbridge, County Kildare, locally known as the Limerick Bridge; and if he will request such body to improve the approaches to such bridge so as to obviate the existing danger to traffic.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick Bridge (County Kildare).
The bridge is in Naas urban district and the road is maintained by Kildare County Council. As there is no general law on the subject, I am not in a position to state definitely upon what body the liabilities referred to lie, nor can I decide such a question.
Law reports which bear on the subject, however, suggest that the law in regard to railway bridges, established in 1929 by a decision of the Supreme Court, applies equally to canal bridges. Railway companies are bound to maintain bridges up to a standard suitable for the traffic existing when the bridge was built, and any improvement by way of strengthening or widening a bridge to render it suitable for modern motor traffic is the responsibility of the road authority.
Liability in respect of the bridge in question, if in dispute, could be settled only by the courts.