asked the Minister for Local Government whether he received recently from the Donegal County Council a unanimous resolution under Section 4 of the City and County Management (Amendment) Act, 1955, in connection with the Gulluduff/ Moville road improvement scheme; whether he has issued sanction in the matter, and, if not, why not.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Road Improvement Scheme.
The resolution referred to by the Deputy, suggesting a revision of the scheme for the improvement of the road between Moyglass bridge and Moville to include the section of road through Gulluduff, rather than the lower road as originally proposed, has been received in the Department. The matter has been fully examined and a reply has been issued to the council on the subject.
This road improvement scheme is being financed out of the Tourist Roads Grant. The primary object of that grant is to secure the development of a road system which will give the maximum benefit from the point of view of tourism. Under this scheme of grants, therefore, priority must be given to the most important tourist routes in each area. The route suggested by the council would serve a purely local purpose and would not obviate the demand for the improvement of the route as originally proposed. It is open to the council to consider arranging for the improvement of the road through Gulluduff by means of the annual county road improvement grant available to them.
Can the Minister say what particular advantage it is for a tourist to go around two or three "S" bends rather than over a hill?
Sometimes Deputies do not appreciate that by going round these "S" bends tourists get a better view of the scenery. If the road is very straight, they do not get time to have a look at the scenery.
One usually gets a better view from the top of a hill.