asked the Minister for Local Government if he has any plans for a motorway or dual carriageway between Dublin and the Border; and if there are proposals for the by-passing of (a) Swords, (b) Balbriggan, (c) Julianstown, (d) Drogheda, (e) Dunleer, (f) Castlebellingham and (g) Dundalk.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin-Border Motorway.
17.
Responsibility for the preparation of plans for road improvement works rests with the road authorities concerned. There are no proposals before me for the construction of a motorway or dual carriageway between Dublin and the Border or for the by-passing of any of the places mentioned.
Improvements designed to provide extra traffic capacity in the short term on sections of the route have been or are being carried out or are being planned by the road authorities concerned.
Is the Minister not aware that six different plans were submitted to his Department by Meath County Council regarding the road between Drogheda boundary and the Dublin border and that each of them was found unsuitable by his officials? Would he not now say that his Department should draw up a plan for that road and submit it to the county council concerned, and not have this hideand-seek, which, so far, has cost a considerable amount of money without any progress being made?
It is the responsibility of the road authorities. That is the present system of dealing with these roads.
If the local authorities submit what they consider to be a good plan to the Minister's Department and if his officials say that that is not what they want, this could continue for the next 100 years if the Minister or his Department do not do something about it.
There may be a case for a change in the system.
Would the Minister consider changing it?
Yes, I am considering it.